Starting as the new dance coach, Elizabeth Auer has stepped in for the rest of the fall semester. After the team has been solely student-led for their fall season they had to transition to having a coach to lead them with professional insight. Auer has experience as a cheerleader for the Las Vegas Raiders as well as a dance instructor at Studio 65 Dance Company.
Going without a coach for the past three months, the team had to adapt constantly. This change of adding a coach mid-year is more than just having another adviser. It means having someone to guide and stand up for them when they don’t know how.
“We have had a lack of advocacy for us, in a way … I think that’s definitely the hardest part as students we have to try and stand up to adults,” co-captain Marissa Girard said.
With Coach Auer leading the way, the team has been able to purchase uniforms for dancers who are new to the team and they have an adult who communicates on their behalf. Since dancers are students, having a coach helps them handle obstacles like speaking to staff and advocating for their needs as a program.
The dances put together by student choreographers had not been affected by the lack of a coach, but the way the practice times and supervision is decided on have. “Miss Ciera Askerneese is the one who has facilitated it all [as a dance teacher on campus]. But at the same time she is not our full-time coach, and she has other responsibilities that she has committed to,” Girard said.
Captains Emma Gallo, Girard, Kamryn Webb and Addison Yow led the decisions on practice times and who their supervising staff member was.
Despite not being able to host the annual dance camp that helps introduce the team at the beginning of the school year, dancers continue to perform at every rally and home football game. “I’ve stepped up. We’ve also had [Mrs.] Amber Rodriguez, who used to be a dance teacher here, to help out in the beginning,” Askerneese said.
Being a professional dancer for many years, Auer finds a common connection with her students. “Dancers have her [Auer] as a teacher at our studio; [she] is very easy to get along with and she’s very supportive,” Vizcarra said.
In addition to new guidance, organization and support, the dance team has continued to improve their techniques with feedback Coach Auer provides. Vizcarra said. “She’s been able to give us critiques on what we can better improve and always [makes] sure we are on the same page.”
by ISABELLA GIMROTH & MADELYN REYES MORAN
