Hannah Daley is Crowned a National Champion at Miss Dance Drill Team USA

Lauren Lafeber, Contributor

Senior Hannah Daley has spent the past 16 years of her life doing what she loves most: dancing. Hannah first started her dancing career at Dancing on Broadway in Brooklyn Center, and then continued her journey as a dancer for the Totino Grace dance team where she has won three State Championships. E’gal coach Kristen Gagnon described Hannah as, “An incredibly gifted dancer with strong technique.  When she performs her movement is both powerful and effortless.  Her confidence is evident every time she dances and her beautiful smile is magnetic!”

In October, Hannah competed in the Miss Dance Team Minnesota Competition. The Miss Dance Team competition is a dance-based competition that determines a group of dancers to represent the state of Minnesota at the Miss Dance Drill Team USA competition in Orange County, California. This national competition has taken place for many years, and Minnesota has been represented the past fifteen years. In October, Hannah placed fifth overall in the Miss division and earned her spot on team Minnesota. It was no surprise to her teammates that Hannah placed fifth overall in this competition. “Hannah Daley does not only dance for the competition aspect, but because of her love for it. Her passion can be seen every time she steps on to the floor or whenever she practices. She is confident when she dances and she is able to make everything look easy. I am always taken back when I watch her dance because her talent is not only amazing but breathtaking.” Says teammate Cailey Banken.

Team Minnesota consisted of girls from various high schools all over the state, some being Hannah’s biggest competitors during the regular dance season. When asked what it was like to come together and dance as one team with these girls Hannah responded by saying, “When we all came together to practice, we would forget the fact that we competed against each other throughout the year.”

Team Minnesota began practicing and preparing for the Miss Dance Drill Team USA competition after the regular dance season in late February. The team had 5 practices, 4 hours each to learn a full routine that they competed in California.

In California the first day consisted of modeling and an interview. This took only a few hours, but the team was then required to watch the little miss contestants compete their solos. The second day was the miss contestants solos which is the category Hannah competed in. “Around 6:00am I  had to wake up to get hair and makeup done, and I performed around 9:30.” Said Hannah. The last day of the competition was when the team competition took place and team Minnesota revealed their routine. After advancing to finals,  Team Minnesota took it all and was crowned the National Champions. Four Minnesotans were also crowned for their solos that same day.

This is not the end for Hannah’s dance career; in fact, she described it as just the beginning of her new dance career. Hannah hopes to make the University of Minnesota dance team, and if that does not work out she plans to try out for the University of Minnesota Duluth dance team. Coach Gagnon and the rest of the E’gal family cannot wait to see what else is in store for Hannah’s future as a dancer. “Hannah’s contribution to the E’gal family has been extraordinary.  As her coach, she exemplifies what we expect of all of our dancer/athletes and that is commitment, effort, leadership and respect.  She is an excellent role model for her teammates and her friendly demeanor helps everyone to feel comfortable and welcome.” – Coach Gagnon

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