N-O Grad Is Part Of First NECC Dance Team in 10 Years

Members of the 2016 Northeast Community College Dance Team include (front row, from left) Brenda Martinez, Madeleine Roskeland, Maria Barragan, Evelyn Godoy and Morgan Wacker. Back row (from left) Amanda Avidano, dance team sponsor, Danae Smith, Jaidyn Callies, Jordyn Berglund and Samantha Bruening

The City of Neligh is represented well on the first dance team for Northeast Community College in more than 10 years.

Danae Smith, a Neligh-Oakdale graduate, is one of two freshman on the nine-member team. Joining Smith on the squad are sophomores Jordyn Berglund and Evelyn Godoy of Madison, Samantha Bruening, Jaidyn Callies, Brenda Martinez and Morgan Wacker of Norfolk and Madeleine Roskeland of Battle Creek. Maria Barragan of West Point is the only other freshman on the team.

The squad is a non-competitive team that will perform at home volleyball and soccer games during the fall season. Fans will get their first look of the squad on August 24 as NECC takes on Concordia JV at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

“The girls are super excited to be performing outside of company dance,” said Amanda Avidano, a fellow Neligh-Oakdale graduate and the team's sponsor. “Many of them thought high school would be their last time to dance. It is very exciting for Northeast to add the dance team as athletic programs grow.”

Avidano said that practice began in late june as the squad learned pom, jazz and hip hop routines. Not only will the team perform at the school's sporting events, but they can also be seen at various parades and community service events. They also intend to hold a dance camp in the spring.