Concentration and the steady beat of feet hitting the floor fills the dance studio as the Laduettes rehearse their routine. Every day after school, the team pushes their minds and bodies to the limit. Their practices are packed with cardio, strength and cleaning up dances, all in preparation for the ultimate test: the National Dance Alliance National Championship.

The Laduettes have been preparing for Nationals for nearly six months and will take three routines to the big stage Feb. 14 in Orlando, Fla. Competing in three dance categories, Pom, Game Day and Hip Hop, the team is determined to showcase their dedication and passion.

“It’s so different competing in a gym to competing at Nationals on stage in front of a massive audience and all these judges,” Maya Varadachari (11) said. “It’s so important that we don’t let it phase us, and we can really lock in and remember the little things.”

In response to the pressure, the Laduettes rely on each other to stay motivated. For Mya Tenzer (10), keeping up the positive energy is crucial for the team’s overall success.

“We always scream each other’s names, like, ‘You got this,’” Tenzer said. “You can talk [while watching a performance], so we all hype each other up.”

When it’s almost time to finally step on stage, the team comes together to focus and gather themselves. With captains Ava Leidenfrost (12), Emma Lackey (12) and Avery Berg (12) leading the way, the team works to calm their nerves and sharpen their focus.

“Before a performance, we normally circle up as a team and do our ‘Can’t stop, won’t stop’ chant,” Leidenfrost said. “Normally the captains will hype everyone up, then after that we take three big deep breaths in. That gets us in the right mindset when we’re about to dance.”

For many of the Laduettes, Nationals isn’t only a competition; it’s about the bonds they’ve formed all season. Whether they’re performing or cheering from the audience, the sense of camaraderie and team spirit is undeniable.

“I remember watching Pom last year [and] getting chills,” Varadachari said. “[Laduettes] really is like a sisterhood, and Nationals really brings that out for everybody.”

After all their hard work is complete, the team celebrates their efforts with one final tradition. When they’re not dancing on stage, they’re dancing on the tables at Taverna Opa Orlando.

“We usually go on the last day for dinner,” Leidenfrost said. “It’s become such a fun tradition because you can get up and dance on tables, and it’s one of the things I’m looking forward to most.”

The team is filled with a great sense of anticipation and confidence as they prepare for the final stretch before Nationals, knowing they’ve given their all. After months of dedication, they’re ready to make their mark, with hopes of improving on last year’s efforts and bringing home their first national championship since 2016.

“Hopefully this year we’ll have a national champions jacket too,” Varadachari said.