The West Virginia University Dance Team recently returned from National Dance Alliance Camp in Boston, Mass., where the team captured the Gold Bid to national competition to be held in the spring of 2016 at Daytona Beach.

 

BHS graduates on this year's WVU Dance Team are Lauren Trupo (BHS Class of 2012), Chiara Pulice, Kallie Nealis and Danielle Walden (BHS Class of 2013) and Kylie Frame (BHS Class of 2015). 

 

At the NDA Camp, Nealis and Walden were named All-American dancers.

 

“Being chosen as an All-American by the NDA staff was an incredible honor,” Nealis said. “There are so many talented males and females that attend camp every year, and to be chosen as an All-American among them is an accomplishment from my college years that I'll cherish for years to come. Receiving this accolade was a reminder to me that the hard work we put it in and out of practice does indeed pay off.”

 

Every team attending the camp learned the same routine, the “Team Dance” and on the final day, competed for the Gold Bid by performing that dance.

 

“After each team performs, the NDA staff chooses three or four girls from each team who they feel have stood out in all aspects such as leadership, performance and skill,” Walden said.

 

Thereafter, the All-American dancers performed the Team Dance together. Other members of the WVU Dance Team chosen as All-American were Casey Cavallaro from New Jersey and Morgan McNabb from Charleston.

 

Walden said she feels very lucky to be on a team with such amazing, talented girls. She also credits the team’s new coach Alex Casola.

 

“I think the best part of it all was how supportive the entire team was when they announced our names to compete, when we performed, and when we were awarded,” Walden said. “I do not think there was a louder, happier team there to cheer on their girls than WVU!”