Barbara Goleman’s dance team, the Jewels, spent the tail end of the summer vacation at the National Dance Competition (NDA) that took place at the Broward County Convention Center in mid August. After four days of competition, the 14 Jewels members brought home various awards.
The team received the Spirit Stick all days of competition, Technical Excellence of the Day (the only team to receive it on that day), 28 Superior ratings in the Individual Style Routine Evaluations (the Goleman Jewels were the only members to each receive two Superior Ratings for the two individual styles learned), and six members were nominated to the All-American NDA team. The dancers nominated were Lauren Sanchez, Yisel Perdomo, Bryanna Banks, Brianna Gonzalez, Juliet Rodriguez and Valerie Donoso.
Additionally the group received a Superior Rating in their Team Routine with a Bronze plaque and two members, Yisel Perdomo and Bryanna Banks made it to the All-American NDA Team. Most Importantly, the team has earned their Bid to Nationals for February. Team instructor, Sara Yanes, also came home with an NDA Coaching Credentials for the 2015-2016 season.
The Jewels will begin competition season this year on December 5 and they will be attending the Florida Cheer and Dance Associations’ Sunfest in Coral Springs. Following is the NCA/NDA Sunshine Classic on January 10 in Lakeland. On February 20, the team will participate in the South Florida Sizzler in Ft. Lauderdale and the Nationals Competition will be February 26 - 28.
“This team has really come a long way in a very short amount of time,” said Yanes. “At this year’s camp, they were the team with the youngest dancers being that the team is only comprised of 9th and 10th graders. I am extremely proud of their achievements thus far. They were able to bring home the bronze for the team performance routine category, showing they have the ability, commitment, dedication and passion for dance needed to be a successful team.”