November 8, 2023 by Marisa Olsen
The Hingham High School dance team is making moves. Literally. This Hingham High dance team is a competitive dance team that focuses on competitions, performances, and community building at a varsity high school level. And the team has been in receipt of plenty of accolades over the past years, thanks to a fierce dedication to the sport and team camaraderie.
The dance team is composed of two seasons: a fall and winter season with tryouts for both seasonal teams. The fall 2023 season features 38 dancers ranging from freshman to senior year and consists of elected captains: Stella Matherwiez, Aerin O’Neill, Hazel Orth, Kate Rachalski (who will also be captains for the winter team). The girls are trained and coached by dance vets, Jenn Feeney (who is also the co-owner of Funky Feet Dance Studio) and has been coaching the team for 17 years, and assistant coach Sam Healey. Coach Feeney shares, “The dance team has been an important part of our community over the years. I love that dancers have a sport where they can continue to grow their passion as a dancer and be acknowledged as a varsity athlete.”
Booster parent Jaynia Matherwiez shares, “One of the unique aspects of the team is the intermingling of four grades. The dancers rally around each other to create a supportive environment and their own community. The juniors and seniors are often seen as “big sisters” to the freshman and sophomore dancers. With daily practices, performances, and competitions–and an intensive four-day, three-night training camp at UDA in Providence–the dancers are a cohesive unit.”
There are two prongs of the team: one is a focus on performing at school events and home games (football in the fall and basketball in the winter), which creates a sense of school pride and community; and the other is the competitive aspect of the team that is truly essential to the dance program. Captain Kate Rachalski shares, “Dance team is a community where we all lift each other up to be the best dancers and people we can be, and it’s a safe space that I always feel comfortable to be myself.”
Within the team, the dancers compete against other New England towns in three categories: varsity pom, jv pom, and varsity hip hop. Last year, the team placed third in varsity hip hop and then went onto New Englands. The dancers are looking to maintain that lead. And, this fall season, there will be two competitions–one at Reggie Lewis on November 11th and States on November 18th.
In addition to the dancers, dance team parents are part of the backbone. Being a dance team parent is akin to being part of a big family. All team parents support the dance team, as well as booster parents Jaynia and Paul Matherwiez, Sara and Jim O’Neill, Katia and Andy Orth, and Katherine and Richard Rachalski, who help liaise and fundraise. Fundraisers include a much-anticipated halftime performance during a big football game. Proceeds go towards choreography, coaches, competition uniforms, and music.
Coach Feeney wants readers to know, “It’s a varsity sport and the commitment is the same as all other varsity sports; practices are mandatory, there is a community service aspect, and, of course, there is fundraising. It’s all taken seriously. For dancers who are interested in trying out, they should know that the team really focuses on community, school spirit, and a sense of commitment.”
For dancers interested in the winter team, tryouts for the winter 2024 season will take place Monday, November 20th from 5- 7pm in the High School gym.
Hingham High dance team dancers:
Lena Angel
Lily Bastis
Kathleen Blanchard
Callie Cease
Livie Correnti
Maddie Cusack
Jaiden Doherty
Ava Dumas
Caroline Eagleson
Lucy Eagleson
Ciara Enright
Eliza Farina
Ellie Fortuin
Hannah Fortuin
Zoe Hawes
Brooke Jagielski
Camryn Keary
Ella Maclachlan
Emelia Magner
Stella Matherwiez
Cate Maurer
Elena May
Ellie McGrail
Ally Mildrum
Aerin O’Neill
Hazel Orth
Grace Petitti
Kate Rachalski
Lucy Russo
Laura Safarik
Ana Shirokova
Ava Souppa
Sydney Steele
Paige Suarez
Abby Thiongo
Madison Trezza
Caroline Waterbury