The Rogers Heritage High School Competition Dance Team has qualified for nationals following their state competition at Alma, a long awaited journey after enduring much training.

The Heritage Dance Team is a former state champion team in their 2023 dance season, after losing state champion last year to Greenwood High School. This season, the team made it their mission to prevail and showcase their hard working ability for a victory in the game day category. 

“After all the practice and training that we did, I definitely did feel confident that we were going to win state,” said Bianca Andrade, a junior at Heritage and dancer of the team.

Symphony Lockard, the competition team’s coach, was determined to turn her team into champions once more, and took it upon herself to push the team into shape with hard training and discipline. Over the course of various hardships, training and many competitions, they were ready to take on state. 

Bianca later continued, “but there was still that slight chance that we wouldn’t [win], so it was hard to hear when we got announced second.” 

The team was announced as the runner-up for the state competition. It was a heartbreak for every Heritage student and staff who watched, as everyone held high hopes in the Lady Talons becoming the state champions. 

“We do not see State Runner Up as a loss. We are extremely proud of our performance on Saturday. The girls gave everything they had on the floor, and I couldn’t ask for anything more as their coach,” said Coach Lockard.

While the loss of the championship title was a heartbreak, the dancers had a great season and have yet to be finished. While their state competitions are over, the dancers are headed to nationals to compete one last time before the complete end of the season. The competition along with their time going to be spent at Disney World will be a positive uplifting experience for the team. 

“The Heritage Dancers have brought home a state trophy for 4 years in a row. That is not something most programs can say. We are proud to bring a positive spotlight to the Heritage High School Campus, and so grateful for our awesome community who came to support us at the state competition,” said Coach Lockard at the end of her statement.