The Picayune Memorial High School Pride of the Tide Dance Team is preparing for another busy year. The team is under the direction of Tara White and Gail Mitchell. Officers for the team, Emily Lander, Captain; Alex Parker, Co-Captain; Heather Hall, Melissa Pigott, Kellie Lumpkin, and Shanika Powe, Lieutenants, attended the American Dance/Drill Team (ADTS) officer camp at the University of North Texas in Denton, Tx., on June 12-16. The officers represented the team well, bringing home numerous awards. The officers received the Home Routine Award, All American Officers of the Day on the first day, Best Overall Choreography, and Grand Champion Officers. In addition to the team awards, the members received several individual honors. Melissa Pigott and Kellie Lumpkin received All-American dance award. Out of 106 girls in attendance, three of the seven girls making Kick Company were members of the PMHS Pride of the Tide. Receiving this honor were Heather Hall, Emily Lander and Shanika Powe. Miss High Kick for the camp was awarded to Shanika Powe. Additionally, Heather Hall was named to Dance Company, and Emily Lander was awarded Outstanding Performance in Dance.
The Pride of the Tide also attended a private line camp hosted by ADTS. Members include Seniors Heather Hall, Danielle Jackson, Emily Lander, Martha Lovell, Mollie Thrasher, and Simmie Travis. Junior members are Becca Case, Karen Horsely, Kellie Lumpkin, Hannah Meitzler, Alex Parker, Melissa Pigott, and Seridan Thigpen. Sophomore members include Megan Barlow, Rachel Beebe, Laneise Blakely, Jesse Johnson, Khrynise Jones, April Magee, Toni Oldmixon, Shanika Powe, Kacie Reed, Victoria Ridgeway, Sarah Robinson, Lyndsey Smith, Sapphire Stevens, Jasmine Thomas, Morgan Williams, and Paige Woodburn. Freshmen members are Katie Clark, Keanna Magee, Betsy Seal, Kate Thompson, and Ashlyn Watts.
The team learned seven different dances that will be used throughout the year, receiving an Award of Excellence for their outstanding performance. In addition, individual honors were awarded to the girls. Jesse Johnson, Victoria Ridgeway, Toni Michelle Oldmixon, Jasmine Thomas, and Kate Thompson received All-American honorable mention.
All American honors were given to Kellie Lumpkin, Sapphire Stevens, Alex Parker, Heather Hall, Shanika Powe, Lyndsey Smith, Megan Barlow, Emily Lander and Melissa Pigott. These girls are eligible for prestigious honors such as dancing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Capital One Bowl half-time show.
Dance Company membership was awarded to Melissa Pigott, Alex Parker Heather Hall, and Emily Lander for their exceptional dance technique.
Members of Kick Company included Melissa Pigott, Emily Lander, Megan Barlow, Heather Hall, Alex Parker, and Karen Horsely.
Miss High Kick was a tie awarded to Megan Barlow and Emily Lander. Alex Parker was awarded the Gussie Nell Davis award for improvement and hard work throughout the week. Heather Hall received the Spirit of ADTS award for her encouragement and focus, Megan Barlow received the ADTS Pizzaz Award, and Emily Lander received the Outstanding Performer Award.
The Pride of the Tide will begin their year by hosting the Fall Lil’Pride Camp on Saturday, August 25. Registration will be at 8 a.m.. and the cost will be $30. Breakfast, lunch and a t-shirt will be included. Girls who attend the camp will participate in the pre-game show on Friday, September 14, when Maroon Tide hosts Slidell. The team will also be performing at the annual Meet the Tide night August 23. The team looks forward to another rewarding year.