Dance teams from all around the country submitted applications for the 2011 American School Spirit Award.  While there can only be one winner, there were multiple teams that exemplified outstanding achievements in a variety of areas.  Our judges would like to recognize a few of those teams with noteworthy submissions! Check out these Judge's Favorites:



Outstanding Community Service
Southmoore High School- Moore, OK
Win-Win Week

The Oklahoma Secondary Sports Athletics Association proposed the Win-Win Week project to the high schools in Oklahoma as a cancer awareness and fundraising initiative. Southmoore's principal asked the Pom Squad to create, plan, and lead the activities for the school. The money raised from the project would set up a room in the OU Cancer Center.  It takes $10,000 to set up one room.  So the team decided to extend the initiative through all of the sports seasons.  To date, the team has raised $18,903.16.  The team has facilitated a variety of fundraising efforts to help them thus far, and they plan to reach their $20,000 goal by the end of the school year. 



Excellence in Raising Awareness
Foothill High School- Henderson, NV
Anti-Bullying Rally

On November 15th, the Foothill High School dance team accepted the honor of performing at the "It Gets Better"  anti-bullying rally in downtown Las Vegas. Former US Congresswoman, Dina Titus, introduced the team to the audience where they performed and then took pictures with the Clark County Commissioners, Chris Giunchigliani and Lawrence Weekly.  In addition to performing, they followed in the footsteps of President Barack Obama and filmed an "It Gets Better" video while at the event.



Outstanding Tradition
Bismarck High School- Bismarck ND
50 years of Traditions

The Bismarck High School Demonettes were the first dance team in state of North Dakota.  The team was formed in 1962, and they began as a military drill team. In the late 1970's the team started performing with the marching band as the dance line.   The team was the very first team to be named State Champions at the "North Dakota State Competition" in 1978.  In 1986 the NDADD (North Dakota Association of Dance & Drill) was formed.  In the 1990's, the competition circuit began to grow, and the team transformed into a competitive sport, attending multiple competitions each year.  The Bismarck Demonettes are 17 time state champions over the last 24 years that the NDADD has existed.



Outstanding Parent Support
Batavia High School- Batavia, IL

Batavia High School's application included quotes from parents of the dancers.  We wanted to share some with you because it really shows how dedicated an entire family is to this outstanding program.

        There is nothing else my daughter would rather be doing high shcool than dancing on the  dance team. It is her passion.

         I'm thrilled my daughter is part of a TEAM that gives back to the community; there's no I in TEAM.

         Being on the Batavia Dance Team has been the highlight of my daughter's high school years. It has taught her to work hard, accept 
         criticism, and proudly contribute to her school and her community.

Congratulations to the Judge's Favorites!


Be sure to read about the 2011 American School Spirit Award Winner.