On Tuesday November 7th, the Eaglecrest Varsity Poms team made history. They brought home the league championship for hip-hop dance at Cherry Creek High School against their rivals the Overland Blazers through determination, teamwork, strong leadership, and most importantly family.

   This is the first time in school history a poms team has brought home a championship in the hip-hop category. Winning the first major competitions of the 17-18 school year hints at a strong season for the poms team. This stems from changes made by team leadership last year. Captain Kayla Soriano explained the apparent need in making this team less focused on a few talented team members and more about creating a family that could rely on one another for anything.

   “The biggest difference is with the girls on the team….we really created this supportive family-like environment,” Soriano emphasized.

   She hopes to leave a legacy of leadership because this year.

   “Everyone was on the same page as each other,” she added.

   Their wins can be attributed to the team’s confidence and assurance in each other. In the future both girls want the team to continue with leadership and the idea of family.

   Junior Paige Jaudon,  “looks forward to the team coming back super strong in hip hop again, and maybe stronger in pom.” She, herself, is also is hoping to expand with a jazz routine, alluding to the team’s belief that they can do anything together if they keep up the work and atmosphere built this year.

   After the two big wins this year, Soriano spoke of her emotions. “Winning again this season has been so rewarding because I know these girls have put in so much work,” she says.

   Her leadership demeanor was demonstrated though her pride in her team and how excited she was that all the work paid off.  

   Jaudon says, “[The team] has gotten closer this year and… are just a big family”, when asked about what contributed to the success.

   Mia Molina, a sophomore on the JV squad says she believes this is a positive impact for the JV girls.

   “I think this means for JV is gaining confidence for us knowing that our varsity is winning it really makes us want to win even more and just get better as a team and as an entire program,” she says.

   Jaudon says she is excited that she was a part of the team that made school history and says while it was overwhelming she is “so so happy” to be a part of it. Soriano is staying focused on the future and making sure her girls are giving this season their all because of all the hard work they’ve done.

   “I really really want to keep this team as tight as I can and I also want to make sure I’m really feeling the other’s girls confidence,” adds Soriano.

  Family, hard work, confidence, and determination led the poms team to great success early in the season and with little doubt continue to lead them to many more wins for the rest of it.