MacArthur High School’s Brigade Belles Shine at State Competition

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The MacArthur Brigade Belles recently competed in Danceline Productions Lone Star State Competition. The event took place at Montgomery High School. The Brigade Belles came home State Grand Champions.

The Belles entered the competition as a medium intermediate advanced team. The Brigade took home several awards including Sweepstakes in the Dance Officer category. The officers also earned first runner up in the Jazz and Hip-hop categories. The officers who competed included General Mónica Álvarez and First Major Gabriella de la Garza. Second Major Erika Martínez, First Lieutenant Torre Merricks and Second Sergeant Karina Ayala also competed.

The Brigade Belle Dance Team also earned Sweepstakes. The team took home Best in Category in the Lyrical Category and first runner up in the Jazz and Hip-hop events.

The Brigade Belle officer squads also competed. A group of four to eight girls from the team comprises each squad. They competed in the Student Choreography event. Torre Merrick’s squad earned third place while Mónica Álvarez’s team placed second. Karina Ayala’s squad tied for first place.

Mónica Álvarez and line member Stephanie Juarez earned second place for their duet. And line member Darianne Dubose place as a Top 10 solo finalist.

Line member Darianne Dubose finished among the top five in the Leap Technique Challenge. She also finished among the top 10 in the Kick Technique Challenge. Teammate Lyjena Young took home second place in the Toe-touch Technique Challenge.

Mónica Álvarez received the Anita Jefferson Connely Award. The award honors students who show  outstanding leadership, integrity, dedication and hard work.

Ashley Robinson and Hannah Vanhefty direct the Belles. Both are proud of the Brigade Belles.

“The team dedicated time and effort to perfect their routines and techniques,” Robinson said. “The 5 a.m. officer, 5:30 a.m. team and after school practices were well worth it in the end!“

“The Belles earned and deserved all the recognition and awards they received,” Vanhefty said.

The Belles performed at Walt Disney World during spring break.

The team is also preparing to compete in Showtime’s International Dance competition. The contest is set in April at Fiesta Texas.

Congratulations to Brigade Belles!