It is a big time of the year for the Washington dance team, as they get ready for state in a few weeks and the public will have a chance to see what they have been working on this weekend.

The Washington High School gym will be home for a State Showcase event on Saturday where the Demons will perform their state routines in jazz and pom. Other schools will also be performing in Washington and the event is open to all with face masks being a requirement. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday with the first performance set for 6:30 p.m. and the showcase will also be livestreamed on the school’s YouTube channel.

Sophomore co-captain Abby Renoux is excited about this year’s routines. “Our jazz routine is a little bit more serious and is a different style than we have done in the past. Our pom dance is more advanced than last year and a lot quicker. I think we have a great chance at state with it if we perform at the best of our ability.”

The state competition for the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association will be held November 17th-19th at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Senior co-captain Sophia Kleese describes the experience at state. “It is crazy. You can expect to see a lot of faces staring down at you when you are performing. It is such a thrilling experience to hear your music blaring over the loudspeakers and to step on the stage ready to perform in front of everyone.”

Other members of the team include Anna Collett, Haley Mitchell, Madison Hesseltine, Abby Kleese, Iris Peterson, and Ellie Anderson. Listen to our full exclusive interview with Sophia Kleese and Abby Renoux below.