ALMA, Mich. (WNEM) – This year, the Alma Scots Dance Team once again competed in the NDA College National Championships looking to take home titles in both Jazz and Hip-Hop.
“There honestly truly is nothing like the NDA stage,” said Senior Kyleigh Hill. “You walk on with the 20 people you love so deeply and just knowing that you’re so prepared is truly a feeling like no other.”
Alma is no stranger to winning titles at Nationals but this year, the Scots achieved some program-first’s.
The team’s Jazz performance earned them their fourth straight National Championship with a program record score. Meanwhile in only their second year in Hip-Hop, Alma went back-to-back with another National Title.
Finally, Alma became the first ever NDA Grand National Champion in Hip-Hop, something that even the team was shocked by.
“Neither of those were things that we expected at all. We were completely shocked,” said Head Coach Tracy Burton. “I think the entire team was hyperventilating, especially during the Grand Champion awards. We weren’t even filming. We weren’t videoing our reactions because we didn’t expect to be even in the top-3 so it was insane.”
It’s a program that continues to shine at the biggest stages and under the brightest of lights. With the sand of Daytona Beach still sticking to their trophies and banners, the memories of this historic run to Nationals will stick with these dancers for the rest of their lives.
“You’re with your people. This is a safe space,” said Senior Lily Kennebrew. “We always like to say we bring the sanctuary with us. It’s where we practice because it’s our space. It’s our home, it’s the place we sweat, tears, laugh, cry, all the things and we just bring that wherever we go.”
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