Blue Angels dazzle with dance
Blue Angels members are Grace Ellis, front from left, Kimberly Campbell, Hannah Bryan, Meredith Talor and Sydney Matheney and Ashton Davis, back from left, Faith Engelkemier, Alonda Veniszee, Madelyn Pullum, Mehgan Cooper and Abbigail Willis. Coaches are Rebecca Brooks and Kathy Weir. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Like the world-famous crew representing the U.S. Navy and Marines, the Blue Angels represent James Clemens High School with great pride and impeccable skill.
James Clemens Varsity Dance Team members chose ‘Blue Angels’ as their name in keeping with the school’s aviation-themed monikers.
“The Blue Angels exist to promote school spirit and pride by performing dances during the home football pre-game shows, home basketball games and at regional, state and national dance competitions,” spokesperson Debra Campbell said.
Blue Angels members are Alonda Veniszee, Mehgan Cooper, Grace Ellis, Hannah Bryan, Madelyn Pullum, Abbigail Willis, Meredith Talor, Kimberly Campbell, Ashton Davis, Sydney Matheney and Faith Englekemier. Coaches are Rebecca Brooks and Kathy Weir.
Their first competition was with Universal Dance Association in Birmingham this summer. Blue Angels qualified for both the Universal Dance Association’s National Dance Competition in January 2016 and National Dance Association’s National Dance Competition in February 2016, both held in Orlando, Fla.
“At these highly competitive dance competitions, dancers (participate) from throughout the United States and other countries, such Japan and China,” Campbell said. “These girls are not just dancing and competing but also striving to give back to their community.”
In volunteer work, Blue Angels have partnered with various charitable associations. For the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) society, they participated in the MS Walk to raise money for research.
For the Jets Homecoming Parade, Blue Angels entered a float theme to collect toys for The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project.
Blue Angels are separate from the Jets Band dance line. Blue Angels serve as the competition dance team for James Clemens. The band’s dance line performs at football games and marching competitions but doesn’t compete separately from the band.
Girls who try out for Blue Angels must have proper academic standing and teacher recommendations. Members range from freshmen to seniors.
Many girls study locally at The Dance Company, Southern Sensations and Heidi Knight’s School of Dance. They learn numerous dance styles, like pom, jazz, hip-hop and kick-line.
