Hey Bears! The OHS Drill team is on its way to state! The Pepperettes are much more than just flashy outfits, though, and the Varsity team has secured their place in the state competition on March 25th. 

Dance routines take significant time and energy. From the routine’s theme conception to the practice and physical stamina routine demands, the coaches and team pour their devotion into each, not to mention that the routine constantly evolves over the season. And Varsity creates three!

In addition to going to state in the WIAA (the high school sports organization for Washington), the Varsity team “competed at regionals during winter break and then [there’s] nationals in a couple weeks,” says senior and team captain Sydney Gill. “It’s my first time going to nationals [and] we compete February 11th, but we’re leaving on the 8th.”

The Varsity and JV teams both work to create stunning visual routines. Junior Mia Micklus says “we didn’t have JV my freshman year but basically JV is preparing you for Varsity.” She appreciates the JV team they have now because “it’s like introducing you to competition; it’s pushing you to your levels and [it’s] just pushing you to be the best you can be.”

Head Coach Mariah Mao started her competitive dance journey as an OHS freshman in 2004. “[Competitive Dance] was a whole different feeling and I absolutely loved it. I was a 4-year varsity letter member and became Captain my junior and senior years on the team. As a junior, I started choreographing our competition routines.” A tradition she has continued into the present. “My niche consists of the pom and military categories. When I am starting the process of setting up a new routine, I start right away with finding a ‘theme’ or a song that speaks to me. For military, it is usually something that is powerful that the team can resonate with.”

“Going to nationals was not something that was ever on my radar until last season. I saw the tenacity and drive that these dancers had after finishing top in state last year […] this team earned second place in the hip hop category and fifth place in the pom category at their regional tournament in preparation for nationals and that is a HUGE feat!”

Drill is about more than just the routine though. Gill, captain, says “we go to competitions like every other weekend and thats always been fond memories […] I think they’re really fun and I just get to be with my team.”

Coach Mao also carries a personal torch, “Something I have always admired about our team is that we don’t typically get a lot of studio-trained dancers, so everything that our Pepperettes are learning throughout the year is completely new to them. I want the legacy of Mrs. Ackelson to live on. She is someone who brought this program to life and she is a hall-of-fame coach in our Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association. Mrs. A is someone who I have always admired and aspired to be and it is her values that I have brought into my coaching style.”

Mao is determined to honor the legacy left by her predecessor. “I am constantly trying to change my program and make it a memorable and fun experience for our dancers. I believe that you can teach ANYONE to dance and that dance is one of the most inclusive sports that a person can participate in.”

OHS sends the Pepperettes of the nationals on Monday, February 6.