For the first time ever Oxford High School Dance Team will be traveling to Orlando, Florida in the beginning of February to participate in the Universal Dance Association’s National Dance Team Championship.
‘We were able to qualify for nationals by attending UDA (Universal Dance Association) Camp this summer (at Oakland University),? said Dance Coach Jonelle Pariseau. ‘We attended camp at the end of June and we were the highest scoring of the teams there at camp. We received our superior trophy which gave us an invitational to go to nationals.?
‘I’m extremely proud of the girls, they worked very hard,? she continued. ‘Camp was an intense four day session over at Oakland University.?
Pariseau said they are looking to raise enough funds to cover the hotel cost of the trip which would be around $7,000 for her and the 12 girls on the team.
‘Transportation, airfare, incidentals while they’re there are not included in the fundraising,? she said. ‘We just want some help to pay our hotel bill.?
Pariseau said they’ve already chased after some sponsorships and various things like that, so the already have some money in their account, so donations would help fill the gap to that $7,000 mark.
They are hoping to collect donations via credit card through kickstarter.com, which helps people obtain funding for all types of projects involving music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields, but are currently waiting for approval from the site.
‘I’m very proud to know they have qualified for nationals. We’re excited. They’ve been working very hard at our practices and we’re looking forward to it,? Pariseau added. ‘The only thing that’s standing in our way is the money.?
For those interested in donating can makes checks out to OHS Dance team or Oxford Community Schools and send checks to OHS Dance Team at Oxford High School at 745 N Oxford Rd Oxford, MI 48371.