The hard work and dedication of the Newtown High School dance team paid off in the South-West Conference Championships at Brookfield High on February 6. Newtown’s dance squad won first place in the Jazz Division and the Pom Exhibition, scoring 272 points in both routines.

“We are so proud of this team. They gave each performance everything they had and it showed on the floor. We entered a new category this year, Pom, and these dancers stepped up to the challenge,” said Head Coach Emily Marks, who helped lead the squad along with Assistant Coach and former NHS dancer Lindsay Brestovansky.

"It was definitely difficult to take on a new style of dance. Pom is incredibly athletic with its own set of skills and technique but we had full confidence in these dancers and we are so proud of how they are stepping into this new style," Marks added.

Dance team captains are seniors Sara Olam and Mackenzie Roszman, as well as junior Alexandra Kinsey. The rest of the championship roster comprises 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.

All SWC Dancers are Roszman, Olam, Kinsey, and Warner.

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