Pacesetters receive multiple awards at NDA dance camp

The Newton High School Pacesetters attended the NDA Elite Dance Camp July 21-24 at Iowa State University.

The Pacesetters received a Superior Rating, the Superior Showmanship Trophy and a bid to Nationals for their home routine. The team also received a Superior Rating for team dance and second place overall.

Captains Macey Caves and Madison Mann and Senior Lieutenants Serena Halferty and Olivia Bebout competed in the Circle of Winners for their Team Leader Routine and received a superior rating and third place overall. The team also received a NDA spirit stick for their positive attitude and hard work during the week.

The Pacesetters received many individual awards as well. This year the team had seven individuals nominated to the All-American Team. Those nominees include: Olivia Bebout, Caves, Halferty, Hadley Braaksma, Madison Mann, Gracie Rorabaugh and Josi Swihart. Caves, Halferty and Mann were all selected as members of the 2015 NDA All-American Team.

Three members also received the Pin It Forward Award for excellence in leadership, team work and hard work. Those individuals include Jensen Pauley, Mann and Halferty.

Throughout the week NDA holds a top gun competition for kicks, leaps and jumps, turns and hip-hop. For each top gun competition, one dancer from the entire camp is selected. This year Sophomore Gracie Rorabaugh received the Top Gun Turns Award.

“Camp, for us, is the perfect way to begin our season. I think our greatest accomplishment was the connections we made as teammates and the positive way the girls represented themselves and our school,” coach Paige Meredith said. “As their coach, I am very proud of their hard work and commitment. I am very excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for us.”

For more information about the Newton Pacesetters please visit their website
www.newtonpacesetters.weebly.com