The Zachary High School Belles Dance Team finished third in the Large Varsity high Kick Division and fourth in Large Varsity Hip-Hop – the highest collective finish in program history – at the National Dance Team Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort Feb. 5-6.
In 2020, the team placed second in Hip Hop, but collectively, 2022 was the best showing in the team’s history.
“We have no seniors this year, so we are really proud of our accomplishments,” said Belles Coach and ZHS English Teacher Melanie Anderson.
Melanie Anderson began coaching the Belles in 2008 and first brought the team to the National Dance Team Championship in 2010, and the team has competed ever since.
“We’ve been steadily improving year after year,” said Melanie.Â
Competition divisions are determined by the number of dancers competing, not by school size or select or non-select. Nationals attracts the best teams in the country, with ZHS competing against the best of the best. Each team must go through multiple rounds of competition with teams cut each round before making it to the finals.
“It is an honor to make it into the finals round, much less place top 5 in the division. This is the first time in school history that we have ever placed top 5 in both divisions,” said Melanie Anderson.
Nationals is a stressful, exciting, and eye-opening experience for our members, said Melanie Anderson.
For those interested in joining the Belles, tryouts for next year’s team will be held in March.Â
