Dance Teams At Private Schools
The Pros and Cons...

Meredith Wattasek

The words "Drill/Dance Team" take on a whole new meaning when they are used in conjunction with private schools – even more specifically, private Christian schools. Terms such as "choreographed movement" are more acceptable than "dance." Though the reason behind them in a dancer’s mind remains the same (a performance group), spectator views differ drastically.

As a person who has been a member and director of drill/dance teams for the past 10 years, I have watched many things change. One thing remains the same – it is never fully understood what exactly those drill team girls do at the end of football season. For most of us in the business, we realize that competition is a strong focus for many organizations. My experience at a private Christian high school has proven that administrators and parents alike believe the drill/dance team is in place, first and foremost, to be a support group to the athletic teams on campus. The funny thing is that this is how some drill team parents view the organization. 

In late February, one step-mother voiced her opinion that the drill team should be performing at EVERY basketball game because the dancers perform at every football game. After a lengthy discussion on the reasons we wouldn’t be performing at EVERY freshman, junior varsity and varsity home basketball game, a mutual decision was made to do nothing other than disagree. This discussion followed performances by the drill team at women’s volleyball and basketball as well as men’s basketball home games. We make sure that the freshman teams have the same support as our varsity teams. Because of this, we have a large number of athletes who show up for our dress rehearsals, spring show, and spaghetti dinner.

Aside from differences in focus, several other issues arise. When a school is affiliated with a religious organization, much consideration must be used when picking music, moves, costumes and even practice habits. My team spends at least 30 minutes a week (of practice time) in devotional time, wears cover-ups anytime we are not in the dance room (including dress rehearsal for spring show), and would never consider using such artists as the one formerly known as Prince. 

However, these have all seemed to be very positive attributes to my drill team experience. In two years, I have not had a discipline problem, lost anyone to failing grades, been cursed at, or been asked not to lead my team in prayer before a performance. Parents are extremely supportive and active (a pro and a con!). 

As with every situation, there are numerous pros and cons that must be considered. Listed below are several of issues that must be addressed when making such a choice:

PROS

•  strong academic student population
•  strong moral character of ALL students
•  freedom to spend time in prayer with students
•  willingness to help out from ALL parents
•  constant involvement and support from administration
•  tighter controls over discipline of students

•  little or no budget money for organization
•  limited resources (music, costumes, props)
•  difficulty scheduling events as not to overlap with athletics and other events – due to smaller population
•  smaller team size
•  more limited selection of acceptable music and costuming 
•  students may not be penalized for choosing one activity (Sr. trip) over another (drill team contest)

Meredith Watassek

• Houston Christian High School
•  Silver Spurs Drill Team Director ‘97-‘99