Ranger Dance Force Leaping Through A Nailed-Down Nationals!

By Isabella Chan

Spring break is quite the time to relax! But for Redwood’s Dance Force, they were making a step-ball-change in their 24 years together.

From March 21 to 23, Dance Force traveled to Anaheim to compete in 7 dance categories (including solo performances) at the Anaheim Convention Center. Bringing 7 dances to nationals was a big and new experience for the team.

Throughout the year they faced many challenges such as injuries and absences. But the team, especially their 3 captains, were very proud of each other and their performances this year nonetheless.

Team Captain, Makayla Bullock, ‘24, a 4-year member of dance, says, “We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs throughout the year, having to change choreo, add in people, so I would say it definitely paid off.”

The team has never competed in a Pom Dance routine, never a Small Contemporary group, and never brought 3 solos to any competition. Another one of Dance Force’s Captains, Brienna Burr, ‘24, says, “There were a bunch of new things that were happening… The whole thing was super big and exciting.”

At this year’s USA Dance Nationals the team placed;

1st in Medium Open Division Lyrical – National Champions

2nd in Small Open Contemporary

2nd in Large Open Hip Hop

6th in Medium Championship Pom

In each of these categories, around 10 other schools were competing. 6th place might not sound like much along with their other victories, but for the team it was huge. 

Alongside these performances, there were 3 Contemporary Dance Solos performed separately by the team’s captains; Makayla Bullock, Brienna Burr, and Kahlen Novelo (all 4-year members of Dance Force).

Burr explains this was her first time competing in a solo in 2 years but it went really well. “I was super nervous but it was super exciting to do when I had 2 of my best friends doing it alongside me.”

Just like Burr, Bullock was very proud of her team and overall performance. She shared many proud moments with the team, getting to bond with one another, and Dance Force, as a whole through all their hardships and bumps in the round through the year. “Throughout the year just seeing my team grow from what we were last year and previous years, I would say that would be my proudest moment,” Bullock says. 

Team Captain, Kahlen Novelo, ‘24, says, “We placed with each dance and we are now national champions and it’s all because of the team’s dedication and their determination to be the best we can be.”

“I just love my team so much and if I could tell them ‘I love you guys’, they seriously are unforgettable. Each and every single member. They have made such an impact in my life and all the other seniors’ lives. We had such a great time, even though it can get super stressful… but we have so much fun and I just love them to death like sisters and a brother.”

Brienna Burr ’24

“I love them so much and I’m proud of them and even through any ups and downs we’ve had, I’m just proud to be on the team with them!”

Makayla Bullock ’24

“I am so proud of all the hard work this team put in every single day leading up to nationals. The process of cleaning and making changes was difficult but we all pushed through and it paid off. I’m more than happy with how each dance was performed because I know everyone gave it their all. We placed with each dance and we are now national champions and it’s all because of the team’s dedication and their determination to be the best we can be.”

Kahlen Novelo ’24

Tags: dance, dance force, nationals, nationals competition, rangers, Redwood, redwood dance force, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, visalia ca