The Ladue High School dance team, the Laduettes, has officially entered the competition season. After a year of work, they are finally ready to showcase their dances for the top spot at nationals, and further recognition from the school. 

“These past two competitions I was really confident in our dance, so I was actually really excited to perform it for the judges,’” Madison Grady, a senior and one three captains on the Laduettes, said.

The Laduettes came in second last year at nationals, an impressive feat, but one that the Laduettes believe they can beat. 

“There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll make it to nationals this year,” Meghan Byer, a sophomore Laduette, said.

The Laduettes began learning and practicing their competition dances, both in the style of poms in hip hop in June. The Laduettes first showcased their hip hop routine set to a montage of rapper Cardi B’s hits at the first boy’s basketball game. They would later perform the dance at Kirkwood high school along with their pom’s dance. They would come in second for both dances. After placing first in competition at Battle High School on Dec. 14, they will advance to another competition on Jan. 11. Because the strenuous schedule of preparing for a nerve-racking competition coincides with finals, coping with the stress of two incredibly important events can be a lot to handle. 

“We stretch, take ice baths and get a good night’s sleep. I personally shower, get lots of sleep and spend time alone,” Byer said.

De-stressing is an extremely important and mandatory task for the Laduettes. With the pressure of doing well in their dances and finals, relaxing is necessary for the Laduette. 

“I talk about how I feel with my teammates since we’re usually nervous and we all destress together. Right before we go on we do our ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’ chant and it usually gets us excited for the dance instead of feeling nervous,” Grady said.

Competition season is an extremely stressful time, everyone on the Laduettes is being judged for how well they dance, something that is nerve-racking enough in front of their friends and classmates. 

“I think because you are performing in front of people you know at the school it’s scarier, competitions are easier in the long run I think,” Byer said.

While the Laduettes are an extremely accomplished and well-renowned dance team, they still spread school spirit through pep rally performances and halftime routines. While it’s more nerve-racking for Buyer to perform in front of friends and peers, Grady had the opposite response.

 “Dancing in competitions is more nerve wracking because we’re dancing to be judged and ranked. But dancing at school is more chill because it’s in front of our friends and I like showing the school what we can do.” Grady said. Ladue High School, while a very accepting and overall kind-hearted school, is sometimes overly presumptuous about specific groups of people. The Laduettes are no exception.

 “Many times we are asked, ” Why do you do the same dance?” but people don’t realize all that goes into making a new dance. It takes time for it to look good.” Grady said. Comments like these are not a rare occurrence. But no matter the amount of criticism they receive, the Laduettes continue to amaze students and judges, whether it’s a pep rally or on a nationals stage a thousand miles away. 

“A lot of people disregard us, but we derive more recognition because we are doing just as much as any other team.” Byer said, referring to the amount of celebration and recognition the football team got for winning the state championship. The frustration the dance team has about the lack of recognition and appreciation is understandable, they have made it to national stages and yet, have gotten little acknowledgment or remembrance for their accomplishments. 

“We hope that in winning nationals the school will be able to see how strong of a dance team we are and be able to celebrate it with us,” Grady said.