PhotoCred: Mr. Pebbles Lee.Top row left to right: Epiphany Mitchell, Lauren Grimes, Hannah Spaulding, Sophia Wharton, Second row: Jennie Wegner, Josephine Lee, Paige Cudini, Caitlyn Harvey, Bottom Row: Taylor Tinsley, Alexis Thomas, Hannah Holst.
Members of Omega Dance Company challenged themselves, as well as their dancing skills, this weekend by changing their primary style of dance amid tryouts and a newfound sponsorship.
Captain Taylor Tinsley set a goal for the team to expand their skills and make Omega Dance Company a well-known name around campus. While the team is commonly known for being a jazz and contemporary style, the idea to expand emerged after voicing her opinions and desires to “dance more around campus.”
The group formed in 2011, the leaders were focused on building a team solely focused on one element of dancing. With the eighth-year mark approaching the organization Tinsley and Co-Captain Hannah Holst, sought to push the organization to learn and perform a more diverse set of skills.
“We are finally getting the opportunity to showcase what we really are. We are getting a one-year trial to show ACU athletics that we are ready to have an actual dance team,” Holst said.
Hannah Spaulding said the team is like a home away from home as the organization poses as an advocate for all students who share the passion and love for dance. She has been a member of the team since April 2019.
“This team is like home a family because we share the same love for an activity that draws us closer to each other,” Spaulding said.
Finding sponsors came as a challenge for growing the team. According to the leadership of the team, ACU was not always on board with the addition of dance and step teams on campus.
“It was hard. I had to email a lot of people and make a decision based on the needs of our team. But we did it,” Tinsley said.
The decision to change the elements of the team emerged after meeting with the new sponsors for the 2019-2020 school year, Rebecca Mathis and Elizabeth McAnally.
For more information about the organization and how to be involved, contact Taylor Tinsley at (804)-292-1942.
