For the first time, the 2024-2025 SunDancers all come together to celebrate the Newbies. The returning SunDancers welcomed the Newbies with open arms at the ribbon pinning ceremony. “I think the Newbies will definitely excel,” Caroline Johnson ‘26 said. “I’ve heard great things about all of them, and I know they’re all so talented.”
Ella Popps ‘25 pins a ribbon on Elizabeth Burke ‘27 as she welcomes her fellow teammate onto SunDancers. Burke had gone through an extensive week of tryouts to become a SunDancer, and she was ecstatic to finally be a part of the team. “I just thought that [SunDancers] was a fun community, and I have always wanted to be on the drill team,” Burke said.
The new SunDancers get together to pose for a picture following the ribbon ceremony. Taking the photos, the current SunDancers cheered them on.
Coming together in the Warrior Studio, SunDancers welcomed their fellow Newbies at the annual ribbon-pinning ceremony on Monday, Dec. 4.
The week prior, SunDancer contenders had to go through an extensive three-day audition process, learning intense combinations that tested their technique and how well they performed the trademark SunDancer steps. Out of the many that auditioned, 10 dancers made the team.
“[The audition] was stressful, but I’m glad it’s over,” Elizabeth Burke ’27 said. “I was pretty confident, but I was nervous during the actual audition process.”
With dance being such a major part of their lives, many of the SunDancers Newbies have had aspirations to be on the team for many years now.
“[I have been dancing] since I was 3,” Burke said. “[I’ve wanted to be on the team] since probably 6th grade.”
While being on the team comes with the challenges of meeting high expectations and time commitments, dancers get the opportunity to pursue their passion and build a community.
“My favorite part about being a SunDancer [this year has been] starting every day dancing with my friends,” first-year SunDancer Caroline Johnson ‘26 said. “I also love getting ready with them after practice.”
Enthusiastic to meet their new teammates at the ceremony, the current SunDancers sang them a song at the end of the ribbon-pinning to make them feel comfortable and welcomed.
“I’m so excited to dance with the newbies,” Johnson said. “They’re all so amazing, and I’m so happy they made the team.”
