Proud Hays High School Highsteppers show off their trophy haul at this summer’s Crowd Pleaser’s Officer Camp in Dallas. The group includes (back, left to right) Junior Lieutenant Erin Wieser, Sophomore Lieutenant Emily Beyer, Junior Lieutenant Chyloe Fife, Junior Lieutenant Allison Bailey, Senior Lieutenant Bianca Barrera, Captain Kelsi Eckhardt, Lieutenant Captain Rachel Harvey; (front, left to right) Secretary Aimee Portillo, Vice-President Savannah Kirkland, Chaplain Alyssa Sluder, President Cassidy Gotcher, Spirit Leader Samonica Harper, and Historian Cici Ybarbo. (Courtesy photo)
by AMANDA BODINE
Special to the Hays Free Press
The Hays High School Highsteppers pulled in high honors at this summer’s Crowd Pleasers Officer Camp, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dallas. The full group includes Captain Kelsi Eckhart, Lieutenant Captain Rachel Harvey, Senior Lieutenant Bianca Barrera, Junior Lieutenants Chyloe Fife, Allison Bailey and Erin Wieser, and Sophomore Lieutenant Emily Breyer. It also includes President Cassidy Gotcher, Vice-President Savannah Kirkland, Secretary Aimee Portillo, Chaplain Alyssa Sluder, Spirit Leader Samonica Harper, and Historian CiCi Ybarbo.
Both the Highstepper Dance Officers and Social Officers received top honors at the camp. The Dance Officers learned dance routines in various styles, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, Broadway and hip hop. They also participated in several leadership seminars to help prepare them for leading the 2011-2012 Highsteppers.
The Social Officers went through several workshops that helped prepare them for their role as motivators for the whole team. They were voted “Most Spirited Social Officer Line” by the other teams at the camp.
The Highsteppers kicked off their 2011-2012 season earlier this week, beginning preparations for their Red and Blue BBQ performance next Monday, August 8. Annual Highstepper Training Camp takes place next week to prepare the team for the upcoming football season.
The Highsteppers will hold a Kiddie Klinic this fall and participants will be invited to join the Highsteppers in spirit lines during pre-game activities of a home football game. Watch for more information on the Highstepper website, www.hayscisd.net/highsteppers.
