Parkersburg South’s Southern Belles take second place at national tourney
The Parkersburg South High School Southern Belle Competition won second place in the medium-kick dance division at the National Dance Alliance Dance Competition at Orlando, Fla. Front row, from left: Olivia Edinger, Abbey Brown, Kamryn Sallee, Alyse Bailey and Mallory Marks. Second row: Jasmine Porter, Emma Smith, Allison Johnson, Addi King and Ella Horton. Third row: Ellie Nedeff, Presley Amos, Emma Haines and Hannah Martin. (Photo Provided)
Coach Kristen Johnson of the Parkersburg South High School Southern Belles cheers the team during competition at the National Dance Alliance Dance Competition at Orlando, Fla. The Belles won second place in the medium-kick competition. (Photo Provided)
The Parkersburg South High School Southern Belle Competition won second place in the medium-kick dance division at the National Dance Alliance Dance Competition at Orlando, Fla. Front row, from left: Olivia Edinger, Abbey Brown, Kamryn Sallee, Alyse Bailey and Mallory Marks. Second row: Jasmine Porter, Emma Smith, Allison Johnson, Addi King and Ella Horton. Third row: Ellie Nedeff, Presley Amos, Emma Haines and Hannah Martin. (Photo Provided)
Coach Kristen Johnson of the Parkersburg South High School Southern Belles cheers the team during competition at the National Dance Alliance Dance Competition at Orlando, Fla. The Belles won second place in the medium-kick competition. (Photo Provided)
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PARKERSBURG -- The Parkersburg South High School Southern Belles dance team placed second in the medium-kick dance division at the 2023 National Dance Alliance Dance Competition March 3-4 at Orlando, Fla.
This team made history with the competition being its first time competing on a national level.
"I just felt that we had to go big, to put the stake in the ground and take our team to the next level," Coach Kristen Johnson said.
The Southern Belles advanced to the finals after receiving a score of 90.46, putting them in second place.
"Nothing was more of a blessing than sitting on the stage with my team holding hands as we were waiting for our results. As we were announced second we were hugging and crying together," senior Belle Abbey Brown said. "We reached our goals as a team and achieved more than expected."
The Southern Belles became more determined and confident after receiving its score on the firs day. The next morning was spent practicing and preparing for finals.
During finals the team flawlessly performed and increased its score to 92.46, finishing second place by only .8 difference from the first-place team.
"We competed against very talented teams, and it was a blessing to place 2nd in the nation as a first time team," senior Belle Mallory Marks said.
The Southern Belles not only made history, but was a part of history as well. The competition was the largest high school event the National Dance Alliance has staged.
"This was something none of us expected going into this," senior Belle Kamryn Sallee said. "Knowing that it was the biggest event in NDA history and we got to be a part of it was so memorable and it still doesn't feel real."
The team put its heart and soul into the competition routine, Johnson said.
"I hope they will forever remember how the work was worth the reward, pride and excitement from this weekend," she said. "They never gave up and delivered when it mattered most. These are the life skills I hope they all carry with them through the years."
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