Newtown High School’s dance team came into the school year with a motto “New Team, Same Dream” as it embarked on another potential championship season.

This “new team” experienced part of its dream, successfully defending its South-West Conference championship jazz category title, scoring 272 out of 300 possible points, at New Milford High School on January 31.

The dancers also placed second in the hip hop category, scoring 267 points, during the SWC meet. Brookfield, which was second in the jazz competition, won the hip hop portion. The SWC fielded seven school squads at the championship meet. Newtown made it three straight years with at least one conference trophy, having also captured the hip hop title in 2013.

Newtown is led by captains Nicole Connolly, Jenna Siroky, and Charlotte Stenz. Other members of the team are Jenna Siroky, Victoria Madden, Nicole Connolly, Emma Burns, Emily Sippin, Meghan Powers, lauren Tripodi, Charlotte Stenz, Meera Gupta, Michaela Hall, Kaitlyn Pierce, Catie Ingersoll, Lauren Villamana, Emma Short, Riley Smith, Kamdynn Moroney, Allie Indelicato, Jackie Mooney, Grace Walter, Arline Almeter, Ellie Daigle, and Annalise Saraceni.

Newtown Coach Cheryl Stenz noted that the much of the team’s success stems from the fact it worked with the same choreographers as last year. Chris Lupis in charge of the hip hop routine which Coach Stenz describes as “very high energy and fun,” and Emily Brestovansky choreographed the team’s lyrical piece. “Working with her is great – we pick a song and create a story. This year our song is called ‘The Call’ which is about friendship and people who are there for you no matter where you are.”

Newtown, which won the Large Jazz Division title in last year’s state finals, will try to experience more of that “same dream” by winning it all once again in the February 28 competition at Hamden High School.