Denham Springs Dancers Compete Despite Flood

Posted January 30, 2017 in SchoolYouth/Rec

After the flood, we discovered our strength and resilience.

Denham Springs High School Dance Team has had one of the most challenging seasons but could not be prouder to say they’ll be traveling to Orlando, FL for the 2017 UDA National Dance Team Championship. After 90% of the Denham Springs Community was destroyed by the flood that hit Louisiana in August, the Jackettes didn’t know if they would have the opportunity to return to NDTC this year.

All of Denham Springs survived the fall semester without a school. They shared a campus with a neighboring school, Live Oak High School. This adjustment meant changing practice schedules and constant flexibility to schedule practice whenever they could get space. They held morning practices from 8:00 to 10:00 in Baton Rouge at Tari’s; then drove for the 45 minute commute to school. They attended school from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM every day. On January 5th, the Jackettes returned to their rebuilt school excited by the familiar feeling of home.

Head coach, Kristen Feigles, shared how this season has been for the Jackettes.

After the flood, we discovered our strength and resilience. We find our strength in each other. The flood allowed me to “see” the sincerity and kindness in our community and surrounding communities.

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The Jackettes pose for a fun picture in costume.

Denham Springs credited a great deal of their program’s survival to local dance schools, their choreographer and and numerous school dance team sponsors, families, and members. Without the kindness of strangers they would not be where they are today. Alana O’Connell held the “Dance for Denham” fundraiser in Dallas, Texas, which raised much needed funds to replace items the team lost in the flood. Katie Williams, drill team sponsor at Vidor Junior High, held a “Kick-A-Thon” to raise money for the team.