The 2015-2016 Royalette Dance Team from Bishop O'Connell High School brought home top honors from the Universal Dance Association Camp held at the University of Maryland Baltimore County earlier this month.
This O'Connell squad finished in first place with their home routine, receiving a blue ribbon evaluation and qualifying for the National Dance Team Championship in February in Orlando, Fla., which is televised by ESPN.
The team also received a Superior trophy as one of the top averaging teams based on individual team member evaluations. Each girl performed three routines and they were awarded a total of 45 blue ribbons and three red ribbons.
Each day during the camp, members of the team participated in a Drill Down competition, where campers are given drill commands and are eliminated as they make mistakes. On the last day, the drill continues until only one camper is left standing. Out of the 270 campers, the Royalettes had five left in the top 20, three left in the top ten and two in the top five. In the end, Margaret O’Connor ’17 took home the Drill Down championship, and Madison Rubley ’16 was the runner-up. This is the seventh year in a row that a Royalette member has won this competition.
All-Americans recognition was awarded to Bridget Heppes ’16, Sam Neizgoda ’16, Annie Nguyen ’16, Maris Ratliff ’16, Madison Rubley ’16 and Erika Williams ’18. These members were invited to perform in the New Year's Day Parade in London, England.
Officers of the team were invited to perform at the Varsity Christmas Spectacular, and the entire team has also been invited to perform at the 2016 Citrus Bowl pre-game show.
“I always look forward to camp,” said Coach Chrissy Salvador ’95. “I enjoy seeing our new team come together, working hard and supporting each other.”
For the first time in as long as anyone can remember, the Royalettes attended camp with the Paul VI dance team from Fairfax. “The girls attended Mass together,” said Coach Salvador. “Throughout the weekend the two teams work side-by-side and help each other out with their routines.”
For more information on the Royalette Dance Team, visit their web page at www.bishopoconnell.org/dance.
Pictured below: Members of the Royalette Dance Team and the Paul VI High School dance team take a moment out of their camp day for a joint photo.
