Newtown High School’s dance team won the Large Varsity Jazz Division and placed third in the Pom Division in the State Championships, held at Hamden High School on February 25. This is the squad’s seventh state Jazz title and first year competing in Pom. The wins follow titles in the South-West Conference, both in Jazz and the Pom Exhibition, two weeks earlier.

“This team has worked hard all season long, and to see them deliver their best performance at States was amazing, These dancers are very talented individuals, but it was how they grew as a team that brought them so much success this year,” Coach Emily Marks said. “They have such a strong connection and I think everyone watching their performances could feel that in their dancing.”

Dance team captains are seniors Sara Olam and Mackenzie Roszman, along with junior Alexandra Kinsey. The rest of the championship roster includes seniors Emma Formica and Shirley Acero; juniors Devyn Reilly, Ava Warner, Ashley Schrader, Sofi LaPierre, Lillian Caico, and Lindsay Myer; sophomores Piper Adolfson, Kayla Sinapi, Aquinnah Schmidt, Phoenix Sealey, Kathryn Kavovit, Lila Spencer, Olivia Gulalo, Sienna Guaragno, Sophia Martinez, Kesslyn Alvarez, and Alexa Schmid; along with freshman Ava Geiger.

The Nighthawks qualify for the Regional Championships which will be held in Burlington, Vt. on March 9.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.