March 10, 2011

By Andrew Frank
staff writer

The DHS varsity pom pon team has accomplished a lot so far in the 2010-2011 year. During the summer competition, they earned numerous awards including, Most Congenial, Peppiest Pom Squad and eighth in the High Kick competition.

All these accomplishments can be contributed to dedication and hours put into practice. Their practices began this past summer when the pommers had to be at practice by 7 a.m. until the school year began, and then practice started afterschool. There they worked on conditioning, routines, form and went over footage.

“We worked really hard each day of practice,” team captain Lauren Rabine said. “Everyone was very motivated to do their very best because we knew the competition would be tough. What impressed me most was how everyone came together and put their heart into it.”

A great deal of the team’s success is due to the ability of the team to motivate each other and the leadership of captains Lauren Rabine, Katie Hall and Kathryn Bicknell. They played an important role in improving the performance of the squad.

“We have improved monumentally; we are stronger, sharper and better choreographed,” Rabine said.

But with success comes adversity. This year, the team was plagued with injuries, attendance issues and lack of funding. Injuries including torn ACL’s, knee problems, bruised tailbones and tendonitis caused problems for some of the team. The team also struggled with funding and members not showing up to practices. Since they put do not receive much from boosters or Student Union they were forced to raise money through a pop can drive, cheesecake sale and car wash.

In the end, the varsity pommers earned second place at states.  Pom Coach Brittany Goulet and the entire team are very proud of all they’ve accomplished.

“Initially I was disappointed,” Rabine said. “We were hoping to come in first, but it was great that we were able to come in second, because two years ago we didn’t even qualify for states.”