Bartlesville High Pom squad takes national title
“You’re as safe as a mountain
But know that I’m dynamite,
Oh, you’re as safe as a mountain,
But know that I’m dynamite.”
(“Dynamite”, Sigrid Solbakk Raabe / Askjell Jon Reigem Solstrand)
Let’s just simply put it this way — when in the future they talk about the great pom squads in Bartlesville High School history, the 2022-23 crew should be spoken of with extra respect — and explosive flair.
In addition to their achievements in state competition, this grace-and-grit combination grabbed unprecedented national glory at the National Dance Alliance competition, which took place in Orlando Beach, Fla.
At the top of the list, they earned the program’s first-ever national title in Intermediate Jazz. They also came in third in Intermedia Pom and Innovative Choreography.
Finally, they finished fifth in Intermediate Hip Hop;
This year’s field included the most-ever teams and is the eighth-to-10th time Bartlesville has attended in the past 14 years, according to Pom coach Stephanie Stewart.
Even though Bartlesville already has won three national crowns, this was their first in the jazz category.
“That’s why it’s pretty special for us,” Stewart said.
In the jazz competition, the Lady Bruins performed to the song “Dynamite” by Sigrid.
When their magical showing ended — “It really couldn’t have gone any better,” Stewart said — they arrived back in town late at night with a police escort to accompany them to a big party at the high school.
“We fundraise all year long for this opportunity,” Stewart said. “There’s so much support in the community for our Pom program. People believe in me and the other coaches.”
Coaching is critically important to Bartlesville’s success.
“What kind of makes us unique at Bartlesville is we don’t hire any choreographers,” Stewart explained.
Stewart and the coaches − Chelsea Collins (Jazz), Michella Wilson (Hip Hop), and Stewart (Pom) − split choreography chores.
“This means we can change things up during the competition,” Stewart said.
Another key individual in the program is sponsor Anna Garrett.
The girls also received plenty of eyes-on support in Florida. More than a dozen supporters accompanied the team to Florida “and cheered throughout the weekend,” Stewart said. “They gave a huge support system for the kids and coaches.”
Families back home also kept in close contact, she added.
The 2022-23 Pom team lineup includes: Seniors − Emily Hopkins, Bella Morrison, Jesika Keeler, Zoe Thompson and Ben Dillsaver; Juniors − Olivia Burns, Jaden West, Ava Pinney and Tymber McCall; Sophomores − Ava Pickering, Addie Link and Kodie Hess; and Freshman — Abby Valdez.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Bartlesville High Pom squad takes national title
