The Glitter Girls dance team has had a successful history, winning State for the past three years. On Friday, Nov. 7, the team will begin their performance cleaning in preparation for State with the fifth annual Innovative Showcase at Shawnee Mission East.

Senior Abby Finke has been part of the team all four years of her high school career and said she is looking forward to performing for the first time with this year’s team on Friday.

“The Innovative Showcase is kind of like a competition and a cleaning session,” Finke said. “We will perform our State routine, but we’re not competing against any other schools, and then we have a cleaning session with a college coach.”

Head coach Jaymes Dickinson has been coaching the Glitter Girls for five years and said in order to prepare for State, the team invites outside people to come watch their dance.

“We’ve had a lot of different people that have come in and put eyes on our routine just to get as many opinions as we can,” Dickinson said. “That always helps, since it’s not just us looking at the routine.”

The team will also participate in the Blue Valley Rally at Blue Valley West on Nov. 15. Finke said it was nice to have multiple opportunities to perform in front of people before going to State. She said while she is nervous for the competition, she is excited to see the other performances.

“I’m looking forward to watching other teams compete and seeing all my outside friends that I dance with,” Finke said. “Performing in the arena [at State] is really cool. It’s giant, and we have a pit that’s right in front of us with all of our friends and family, so I’m excited for that.”

The girls will perform their Gameday routine at both the Showcase and at State on Nov. 21 at the Stormont Vail Events Center. Finke described the Gameday routine as three dances combined into one: the fight song, band chant and then a performance routine. 

“[My favorite part is] watching them dance,” Dickinson said. “I feel like State is the first time that they truly dance for something. It’s really fun that day to see them push themselves.”

The team has rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for an hour and a half and then additional practices from 4-7 p.m. on Fridays. Finke said despite the long time commitment, the people make it worth it.

“I would say that [I am going to miss the] people most,” Finke said. “Practices, they’re long, but it’s the people that make it the best. I love the seniors. I’ve gotten really close with the freshmen [by] helping everyone through all the dance team things this year.”

With six seniors graduating out of the program, Dickinson said it is going to be hard without them next year. 

“These seniors set the tone when they were freshmen of what they wanted, and us being a powerhouse program — I feel like it started with them,” Dickinson said. “We’re going to miss our pioneers of the idea that we are good and talented. So it’s going to be hard without them, but I’m excited that we have this last year with them.”