The Hahnville Hi-Steppers and Destrehan Desty Darlings continue to rack up the accolades in competition – and can each continue to call themselves champion.
For the second year in a row, the Destys earned the World Championship in Hip Hop at the International Cheerleading Competition in Orlando, adding a second-place finish in jazz just as the team did a year ago. The Destys earned regional championships in Jazz and Hip Hop at Dance Team Union as well as at Universal Dance Association.
And the Hi-Steppers secured a “three-peat” National Championship in Small Varsity Team Performance at the Dance Team Union Nationals competition in Orlando, making it a trio of national crowns in as many years. Hahnville also secured second place in Medium Varsity Spirit Showdown and fifth place in Jazz.
Destys Co-Captain Miladi Benedict said the team worked through many challenges this season – and that in the end, it was more than worth it.
“It definitely took many hours in practice. Mentally, it took a lot of strength too, and we were very focused on that mental component,” Benedict said. “We had to trust each other as a team and understand we’re not just dancing as individuals, we’re dancing for each other and with each other. We’re going to practice every day focused on being one percent better than we were before, so (winning the championship) showed how much work we put in and how we weren’t willing to just stay where we were.”
Benedict said the moment they were announced as champion, there was “so much joy.” She added the championship was also a testament to who came before and part of a foundation laid for future years.
“We go in reminding ourselves that we’re not just about what we have this year. We take from everyone who was here in the past, the support we’ve had to help us get to where we are … who comes before, who comes after, it’s not just for us but it’s for them,” Benedict said. “As amazing as the win is, keeping and growing that legacy and culture here is so important.”
Hi-Steppers Captain Ashlyn Rogers said that when it came time for Hahnville to look to the three-peat, the Hi-Steppers looked inward first.
“Our goal was to take what we did last year and make it better – to one-up ourselves,” Rogers said. “Because you can only do so much about your competition, we didn’t worry too much about that and focused on our personal improvement.”
It wasn’t that long ago that Hahnville was earning its first-ever national dancing crown. Rogers, a senior, has been there for all three – and it does not get old, she said, not in any way.
“You think, oh, I’ve been here before, I know what it feels like, but it’s still just as nerve-wracking if not more because there’s an extra level of pressure,” Rogers said. “It’s so exciting when they call your name and you get to go take a picture with the trophy – it’s one of the most exciting feelings ever.”
And one of the most rewarding.
“The pride that I have in our team and our girls, how hard everyone works, how incredible our coach is … being my last nationals, I felt it the whole time,” said Rogers. “When I see the bond our girls have, working so hard not only for ourselves but each other … our being able to harvest that kind of team culture is something I know I take so much pride in.”
Benedict said that with it being her senior year as well, she made an effort to take it all in and appreciate the journey more than ever.
“Going on this trip, my last year, I wanted to focus on every one of those special little moments, whether it’s us running to our parents after we perform or the small team dinners we have during the night … I’ve been super blessed to be able to do that with my team all four years,” Benedict said.
Hi-Steppers head coach Kiley Voges said it’s hard to put into words the dedication she saw her team showing day in and day out to get to this point.
“I am so, so proud,” Voges said. “They put in so much effort trying to better themselves every single day – how can we be a step up from where we were, how can we get just a little bit better.”
Voges said that once Hahnville took the stage for the finals, she didn’t know for sure if it would result in a third championship, but she was quite sure the Hi-Steppers were putting their best foot forward.
“The energy we had, everyone really focused in on each other … whenever we landed, every single skill, every single turn, I knew we’d accomplished our goal,” Voges said. “Whatever happens results wise will happen, but we performed at our best and that meant the world to us.”
Destys head coach Micque Voges, meanwhile, said a very competitive ICU World Championships field grew even tougher this year. The world championship event brings teams from all over the world, with representatives from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Japan and many other countries.
“Each year (the event) is growing, and it was a little more competitive,” she said. “I think our girls really bought into the vibe of the routine … we really worked on our textures and body movement and I think it separated us from other hip-hop teams. Sometimes with hip hop, you don’t see as much body movement … the girls worked really hard and definitely brought it together when it mattered.”
She added dance is a year-round sport for these students, and that it’s a testament to that dedication that these wins have been possible.
“They want this,” Micque said. “They’re always willing to make changes and adjustments, they believe in the process and that in the end, it’s going to pay off. A lot of things, they take it upon themselves to work together on their own before coming to practice. You have to really want this to have the success they’re having. It’s why I continue to do what I do, because as long as they want it, I want to support them however I can.”
Performing team members for the Hi-Steppers were Ashlyn Rogers , Sophie Bourgeois, Addison Hymel, Lauren Perkins, Sarah Waits, Carsyn Ford, Madison Troxler, Ashley Parrino, Avery Oertling , Blakely Thompson, Molly Pisani, Lexi Ford, Paisley Dupre , Ma’Layah Edwards, Raven Hermann, Loie McMillian , Aleya Whitney and Kaya Nichols.
Performing team members for the Destys were Jai Powell, Miladi Benedict, Katie Dew, Avery Trosclair, Grace Rome, Taia Phillips , Aubry Picou, Hannah Burst, Cecilia Cody, Sarah Glore, Isabella Loupe , Kymora Xavier, Madison Victory, Kamryn Crushfield, Halie Victory and Sawyer Fox.
