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By Maicee Ingwerson |Feature|

  “I am innovative. I am reliable. I am open minded. I am positive. I am optimistic. I am resilient. I am supportive, and I am prepared.” These were the responses that Pomalinks Coach Adrianne Poppe wasn’t expecting at the beginning of the year when she asked the team what they had to offer.

“I was expecting to hear responses about their technical skills such as a ‘I have an amazing triple pirouette’ or ‘My center leap is out of this world,’ but I was delighted when the team started sharing,” Poppe said.

This year’s Pomalinks team is new, talented, and has something more than just their talent that is special. The team looks a little different, and has a more diverse background where experience is concerned.

Although this is one of the largest teams LHS has had for several years, there are only three returning dancers (juniors Katherine Lester and Bailey Leuty; and sophomore Regan Schneider). Six of the others are freshmen.

While there is a lack of seniors on the team, and plenty of new faces, this definitely has not left the girls short of leadership or talent. Junior co-captain Lester is excited and positive about the year and the team’s performances. This is her third year this year alongside junior co-captain Leuty who seemed to reciprocate the excitement leading into her third year as well.

“I feel like we have a lot more energy this year because of the younger girls,” Lester said.  She commented that roles were quickly reversed for herself as she went from an underclassman just last year, to one of the oldest dancers on the team, and a co-captain as only a junior because of the lack of senior leadership, which was a new challenge to face the team this year.

However, she is enjoying this new leadership position, especially with realizing how she can positively influence the team dynamic. She is also finding herself in more of a teaching role and is ready to offer her advice to the younger girls-which shouldn’t be much of a burden for her, considering that one of her favorite things about being on Pomalinks is her ability to “develop the school spirit culture for our school.” Now she’s just helping to prep even more girls to aid her in doing so.

“We kind of have a perspective on the younger girls and the coach,” Leuty said. Leuty showed her excitement for the year in the passion that she spoke with when explaining how she has visions for more appealing to the eye formations now made possible with the larger team, and of course, her passion for the girls.

“I’m just excited to keep working with the girls, and they’re all extremely awesome and nice and hard workers,” Leuty said.

Poppe is just as thrilled as her captains for this year and what the team has to offer.

“Coming into the season I was concerned that our larger number would make it harder for the dancers to bond and grow close as a team,” Poppe said.  “But that is certainly not the case with this group!”

Poppe is excited for a young team, because this can only mean they will come out better and stronger in the next few years to follow. For Poppe, her passion is obvious, and love for the team is something special.

“Every practice, every game and every performance is always something to look forward to with this team,” Poppe said.