With nationals on the horizon, the Thunderettes spend their mornings and weekends practicing their competition and game day routines. The Thunderettes will compete against dance teams across the nation on February 6-8 in Orlando, Florida.

Junior Morgan Heinen has been dancing for 14 years and has spent two years on the Bellevue West dance team; she also teaches dance at a studio.

“We’re taking one POM routine and one hip hop routine,” Heinen said. “Our POM routine is amazing, but we’ve had some ups and downs with our hip hop dance.”

In the past, the team has only brought one routine to nationals. Heinen says that this increases the mental demands of the team.

Amelia Quint, one of the team’s captains, has been dancing for 15 years, spending 4 years on the Bellevue West dance team. Both Quint and Heinen said that the team is mostly focused on keeping a positive mindset.

“We’re really just learning to lean on each other and be supportive and try to make the most out of our time.” Heinen said.

Quint and Heinen also pointed out the immense amount of improvement displayed by the team.

“We worked really hard this season, just to get where we’re at right now,” Quint said.