Each preschool student carefully picked a stuffed animal and put it on their head. Their teacher, Katilynn Borchardt, teaches them balance by trying to keep the animal steady on their head. She explained to the Mini Kix team that nobody ever chose the rat. The dancers felt bad for the rat. They had an amazing idea pop into their head. They chose the rat themselves and to this day Roger the Rat is their mascot. They say it gives them good luck and apparently it worked last year because they walked away with 17 first-place plaques.
Just For Kix is a program that helps to develop young dancers and prepare them for the high school Bomber Dance Team. The teams are grades PreK through 6th, with grades 2nd through 6th going to competitions. The first competition is on February 24th. Last year they had a stellar season. They ended up taking home 20 plaques. They can hope this season turns out just as well.
The Cannon Falls Dance Team season is wrapping up. There are four coaches, Katilynn Borchardt, Jamie Swenning, Jada Krinke, and Carly Otterness. Katilynn Borchardt said her favorite part about coaching is the connections she makes with the dancers and watching them grow.
The 6th graders are getting prepared for next season. Ruby Kyyra, a 6th grader on the Mini Kix team, is in Lyrical, Jazz, Kick, and Selection Kick. She is doing a duet with Lizzie Tipton. Ruby stated that “It is hard at the beginning but it gets easier as we practice more.” She is joining the dance team next year and is excited to make more friends and bond with the dancers. All the 6th graders on the team are Ruby Kyyra, Brekkyn Ayres, Lizzie Tipton, Abi Pimentel Lopez, Sabella Jenson, Karina Jandro, Finn Peterson, and Avery Shaffer.
In Just For Kix, they have five to six hours of practice a week maximum depending on which classes they’re in. Piper Gergen is a 7th grader on varsity and she says they practiced almost 24 hours a week. The season started in October and they ended the season by going to state. Gergen said one of their many dreams was to go to state. They have accomplished that and gone above and beyond that in many ways. The team is so talented and has so much perseverance.
The word bond is something people say to symbolize a friendship, but it’s more than just a friendship. The dancers said they have made many memories while being on the dance team. The Cannon Falls Dance Team brings dancers closer together.
Just For Kix had their first dance competition this year and Brekkyn Ayres said, “It was very exciting and nerve-racking but in the end, super fun.” They made it to Nationals in all the dances. The season is off to a great start for them.
Dance is more than just a sport to many dancers. “I love dancing because it just makes me feel whole.” Karina Jandro says. They can hope next year’s dance season turns out just as great. Hopefully, it will, thanks to their rat.
