Sophia Tank (09) said she doesn’t remember a time when dance wasn’t part of her life.
“My favorite part of dancing is how natural it feels,” Tank said. “It makes me really happy, and I often find it calming. My favorite part of the team is the people and the dances. Everyone is so nice and fun, and the dances have taught me so much and have actually challenged me for once.”
At Burke, dance shows up in many forms — competitive teams, school events and spontaneous moments in the hallway. While some students train for years in studios or on teams, others save their best moves for weddings and school dances.
In a survey of 33 Burke students, six students — 18% — said they have extensive dance experience, whether through competitive studios, a school dance team or recreational training. Nine students, or 27%, said they had no formal experience. The remaining 54% reported limited experience or said they only dance at school events.
Senior Reese Rothe said she falls somewhere in the middle.
“I love to dance at school events and weddings, but I don’t have any experience,” Rothe said.
For many students, dancing depends on the moment — or the music.
Sophomore Payton Thorpe said certain songs make it impossible to stay still.
“My favorite song to dance to is ‘Breakin’ Dishes’ by Rihanna because it has a good beat and it’s easy to dance to,” Thorpe said.
The dance team is known for high-energy hip-hop routines, often matched by an equally energized student section.
Senior Aileigh Deas said performing in front of a crowd is what makes the hard work worthwhile.
“My favorite part of performing is the energy from the crowd and hearing your friends call out your name and getting that sense of accomplishment you get running off the field,” Deas said.
Despite the excitement, dance can also bring pressure. Freshman Hailey Grosnickle said performing new routines can feel intimidating.
“I’m nervous about performing new tricks or dances because it’s kind of scary when other people are watching and judging you,” Grosnickle said.
Others say the team environment makes those nerves easier to manage. Sophomore Leila Callahan said dancing with others strengthens friendships.
“I like to dance with people because it’s a lot more fun and you can bond with people over the dance,” Callahan said.
Whether students compete on a team or dance casually with friends, many agree that the goal remains the same: to feel proud of their effort.
“My biggest goals while dancing are just to feel accomplished and proud of myself in the end, even if I made a mistake or not,” Jenna Donnelson (10) said.
