As the new 2025-2026 school year begins, Oak Park Dance Team seniors gear up for a bittersweet ending to their high school dance experience. For many of them, their dance journey began long before their first year on the team.
For senior and varsity member Sophia Holmes, her passion for dance began early.
“I love dance and I’ve been doing it since I was three-years-old, so it’s always been my passion,” Holmes said. “I’ve grown up doing it, and I knew it would be a great thing to do in high school. I had been looking forward to it since middle school.”
The same can also be said about senior and varsity member Bea Gorodetzki.
“I’ve been dancing since I was two,” she said. “I had my birthday party at my studio and the rest is history. I’ve always loved being in a team setting and working towards a joint goal. One of my favorite parts about dance is training not only to be a better dancer, but also a better person.”
Not only did the OPHS dance team allow them to continue to discover their passion for dance, but provided them with a community that has become irreplaceable.
“I started the dance team last year, and so far it’s been one of my favorite experiences at OPHS,” Gorodetzki said. “The energy on the field at football and on the floor at competitions is pretty unbeatable. I’ve met some of my favorite people through the team. The program expands every year, and it’s so cool to be a part of it.”
Every team has moments that are undeniably rewarding, whether that be at competitions, football games or everyday practices. For Holmes, it was their first competition at nationals last year.
“We walked off the floor feeling so confident and proud of ourselves and the work we had put in throughout the year,” Holmes said. “It really brought the team together in a positive way.”
Over the past few years on the team, Gorodetzki has learned new ways to express herself and improve.
“Something I’ve learned about myself from being on the team is that you need to step out of your comfort zone to get better,” Gorodetzki said. “I’ve tried a lot of new things since I started with OPDT and while I felt discomfort at first, I’ve seen improvement across all styles.”
Whether it be their love for dance, their commitment to a team, or a community that has only grown stronger over time, it is clear there will always be a place for anyone interested in the OPDT.
“It’s probably been the best part of high school,” Holmes said. “I’ve made so many amazing lasting friendships and have definitely improved in many areas. Coach Destiny has taught us all so much and has definitely made us all better dancers and better people. It’s been such a great way to be involved with the school and it’s been so much fun. We have definitely grown as a team as well and I’m so excited to see what this year has for us.”
