Seminole High’s Ballroom Dance Club prepared to foxtrot, rumba, and tango their way to victory in the annual Ballroom Blitz, a well-known dance competition. This was their second year competing, and the club had eagerly anticipated the event.

Sponsor Ms. Melody Sweigert says, “The Ballroom Dance Club does all kinds of dances: from the elegant waltz, foxtrot, tango, to the energetic cha-cha-cha and swing, to the street dances of salsa and merengue. Our club teaches people how to dance with a partner, and they also learn some ballroom etiquette.”

The Ballroom Blitz  was held the first weekend of November. Each year, the competition involves dancers from all over the country, specifically in the southeastern division. Dancers compete for basic, bronze, silver, and gold awards in categories based on their experience with dancing.

Judges evaluated dancers based on several criteria, such as footwork and execution. Partners danced for an allotted time to music they have never heard before. This required dancers to be able to pick out a beat instantaneously and coordinate with little notice.

To prepare, the club worked to perfect as many dances as possible.

Senior club member Christopher Kwiat says,“During the competition, precision in basic steps is more important than being fancy but sloppy. We practice many times, leaders and followers apart, before adding music. The goal is to make it as perfect as possible.”

Despite the great deal of pressure and practice involved in preparing for the Blitz, members of the club love the atmosphere of dance. “Ballroom dancing is a bright spot in a stressful week for me,” says junior Delaney Garner.

“One of the best parts of the club is that you’re able to dance in a setting where you’re not criticized,” says Kwiat. “[Ballroom dancing] is a unique interest that not a lot of people know about.”

Last year, Seminole High School had a successful competition, in which several members were recognized with awards. This year, senior members like Kwiat hoped to earn a top place, especially since they have been practicing for several years now.

After their many weeks of practice, the Ballroom Dance club was prepared to ace their performance in the Ballroom  Blitz.