Haylea England, a member of the Mount Ayr Sparks drill team, had been chosen as a member of the All-Iowa Honor Dance Team.
The team that will show its talent Friday and Saturday night has become a tradition at the Girls State Basketball Tournament.
All dance teams represented are members of the Iowa State Dance Team Association, and the
girls are chosen based on ability, attitude, dedication and leadership qualities. Auditions were held last fall at Ames Community Schools. After of practice together, the students annually put on a show that is nationally recognized
as one of the finest of its kind. Grand View University serves as the host for the Thursday and Friday rehearsals.
The pregame performance will include fifty dancers performing a patriotic salute. Lois Turnage of Pleasantville is
the choreographer. The national theme will be sung by Aria Jensen from Waverly-Shell Rock and the U.S. flag bearer is Cassidy Krichau of Pleasantville.
The half-time production will perform during the 3A championship
half-time Saturday evening. The half-time group involves 224 dancers representing 100 Iowa high schools. This is the performance that Haylea was selected to dance in. This year's theme is a medley of songs
with the theme of "Walk".
Both the programs and half-time performances can be watched on your local IPTV station.
Friday coverage will begin at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2016
Haylea England, a member of the Mount Ayr Sparks drill team, had been chosen as a member of the All-Iowa Honor Dance Team.
