Evergreen poms keep tradition alive with sportsmanship and spirit
EVERGREEN, Colo. — Before every performance, the Evergreen High School (EHS) pom team stands in a circle with arms linked and sings a song. It鈥檚 the same song that has inspired team members for generations 鈥� Assistant Coach Jesse Florquist remembers it well from her tenure as a pom from 1998 to 2002. Beginning in a whisper, the team repeats the song鈥檚 affirmations until they reach a crescendo, voices raised to shouting by the end.
鈥淚t invokes trust in themselves and the dancers by their side,鈥� says Head Coach Amy Updike. 鈥淭ime and time again, it鈥檚 proven to ease pre-performance jitters and put a smile on everyone’s face, as well as bring heartfelt tears.鈥�
The pom team is one of the longest-running programs at EHS with an impressive track record of success that includes nine state titles in the 4A division and more than a dozen state first-runner-up trophies. This past season, the team won the Jeffco League Competition for the third consecutive year and has been recognized many times in the top 10 at the Universal Dance Association Nationals and top 12 at the National Dance Alliance Nationals. The team鈥檚 season runs from May through April, with the girls practicing every week day and also on Saturdays during competition season.
鈥淏eing a pom has always been a big commitment, but Evergreen has made a name for itself within the dance world,鈥� notes Updike. 鈥淭he state of Colorado [is] one of the most intensely competitive high school dance states. That means sometimes what we鈥檙e celebrating isn鈥檛 a first place 鈥� it鈥檚 being better than last year, performing a routine to the absolute best of our ability, a dancer nailing a skill she鈥檚 been working on for months, improving our scores between competitions, or even just getting through a long Saturday practice together. You can鈥檛 get through an 11-month season without finding the little moments that make you remember why you do this.鈥�
Although this will be Updike鈥檚 first season leading the EHS poms, she points out that all of the coaches since 2018 have been alumni or parents of alumni in the program. Many team members have dreamed of being a pom since they were little, and several parents have shared their own experiences of their own time on the team. 鈥淚t鈥檚 safe to say this program is so much more than a dance team for so many people,鈥� says Updike. 鈥淸We all] nurture this program with the intention of continuing to give young dancers a safe space to grow and learn within.鈥�
This season, the poms will also be guided by Team Captains Lily Goostree and Mallory Mihalik, both seniors at EHS in their fourth year on the team. Updike is quick to praise their hard work, dedication and leadership through the years, saying that 鈥渂oth ensure friendships among the team and truly define what it means to be a team leader.鈥�
While all teams have goals to win competitions, Updike says the poms are also focused on increasing their community engagement this year and continuing to represent Evergreen with humble pride. Nurturing a team that works well together and genuinely cares for every member, however, is always the primary goal.
鈥淏uilding trust in one another is the first step to being able to achieve higher goals,鈥� Updike emphasizes. To that end, the EHS pom team is already winning. At this year鈥檚 Pom Camp in Fort Collins, Evergreen was awarded the NDA Spirit Award 2023 for its excellent sportsmanship and spirit. The voting question asked of participating teams is telling: 鈥淚f you could be on a different team here at camp, which team would you choose?鈥�
鈥淭he girls didn鈥檛 need further proof of their wonderful leadership skills and kindness; they鈥檇 already proven that to themselves many times,鈥� concludes Updike. 鈥淏ut it was an outstanding reminder of how strong the team is. We cannot wait to see what this season has in store!鈥�
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