This past weekend, the 2016-2017 IHSA City Championship was hosted at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. Twenty-five teams competed in this competition. The competition consisted of a Small Division, Large Division, and Hip Hop Division. The Hip Hop Division consisted of 9 teams and the Whitney Young Poms Team was one of them. The team ended up taking first place in the competition, winning the title of the 2016-2017 Hip Hop Division City Champions, redeeming themselves from last year’s Runner-Up title. They had a score of 85.46, beating the Runner-Up, Jones College Prep, by over 3 points. The victory was based on a lot of hard work in many hours of practice. Captain Davia Murray, ’17, said, “I still can not believe that we are City Champions! I feel extremely liberated to know that our long hours, perseverance, and love for dance was rewarded the right way. We earned our title back in our house and it felt too sweet! Thank you all for your support! I am more than proud of my sisters.. I wouldn’t want to be on any other team. My senior year is ending the right way. #datway.” Other people were elated as well. Nariya Douglas, ‘19 said, “We all truly deserve it. There has been so much work put into what we do. Countless hours spent at the school to do what we love. It has all paid off and I am proud of my team!”

The team has been having a great season so far this year. They have participated in other competitions before this previous city competition. On January 7, 2017, the team took first place in the Hip Hop AA Division at the 2016-2017 Illinois Dance Team Association (IDTA) Dance Competition. Their score qualified to compete in the IDTA State Finals on February 11, 2017. Alicia Bridges, ‘19, is fired up for that competition. She said, “I am so proud of what my team and I have accomplished this season. There will be more wins coming soon!” Also coming up on January 21, 2017, the team will be competing in the 2016-2017 IHSA State Sectionals. The whole team is excited for what is to come next.