The Tigerettes dance team ended their season on a bittersweet note this year, placing third at the OSAA dance/ drill state championships out of the ten teams that competed in the 5A/6A Large division. They trailed behind Pendleton High School and Gresham High School after the second night with an S.Q.S of 82.31. Their goal going into this year’s championship was to hang a banner. Their last championship was in 2008, since that year they have placed second three times and in 2010 they placed third.
Despite a slightly disappointing ending result, the Tigerettes had a great two days. On Friday March 15 they arrived at the school and boarded the bus to the Red Lion Hotel, which they would stay for the next two days. After a rocky floor practice at the Vetrans Memorial Coliseum, their coaches told them that they had to focus on hitting their forms during the first round. J.V. coach Megan Misslin reassured the team by reminding them of the theatre saying, “A bad dress rehearsal foretells a good opening night.” Sure enough, the team did just that. They came off the floor later that night bursting into tears of joys and hugging each other. They gave an even better performance the following night in the final round of state.
“I could not be more proud of each and every one of my teammates. We did amazing and I’m not going to let any judge or any other team tell me that my team are not champions,” said sophomore Maddie Jean. “We have nothing to be sad about because we did our best. And our best was fabulous. This year was amazing and I have made so many wonderful memories.”
Although it may not have been the ending the team might have hoped for, it was a wonderful way to end the year for three of the Tigerettes. Seniors and captains Margaret Johnson, Emily Holland, and Haylee Winden were all selected to be a part of the 2013 All-State team, Tigard had the most representatives on the team. Holland and Winden were also awarded with academic scholarships, both worth $800. Johnson and Holland received two of the four dance scholarships that were awarded that night. Winden competed in the drill down competition Saturday night and placed fourth. Holland is the first person in the state of Oregon to ever receive all three awards.