The Pahrump Valley High School dance team closed out its home performance season with its annual Trojanette Review, an evening celebrating the team’s hard work, dedication and artistic growth throughout the year.
The showcase featured 13 performances in total, including eight full team dances, four senior solos and a special senior lyrical routine. All of the choreography presented during the evening was created by Paris Gerlach of Nevada Dance Centre in Pahrump, highlighting a variety of dance styles including pom, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and kickline.
Head Coach Joann Cunningham said the event served as both a celebration of the team’s accomplishments and a moment to recognize the graduating seniors who have dedicated years to the program.
“The Trojanette Review was a beautiful showcase of this year’s hard work,” Cunningham said. “It has been a great year of growth and unity. In addition to seeing all of this year’s dances, we celebrated with four seniors who have made dancing a major part of their lives.”
The evening began with “Rock That Body,” a pom quarter break routine that immediately energized the audience. The team followed with “Let’s Get Loud,” a vibrant jazz number, before returning to the floor with “Fire Burning,” another high-energy pom routine.
The performance paused briefly as Cunningham introduced each member of the Trojanette team, giving the audience an opportunity to recognize the dancers who have contributed to the program throughout the season.
When the dancing resumed, the team performed “Country Girl,” a spirited pom routine that showcased the dancers’ precision and personality. The Trojanettes then took the stage for “Go Hard or Go Home,” their competition pom routine that earned the team a first-place finish at Regionals earlier this year.
The variety of dance styles continued with “Diva,” a hip hop routine full of attitude and rhythm, followed by “Endangered Species,” the team’s jazz competition routine.
The spotlight then turned to the team’s graduating seniors, who each presented their final solo performances as members of the Trojanette program. Lucy Smith opened the solo portion with a jazz routine set to “My Way.” Natalie Minor followed with a lyrical performance to “This Bitter Earth,” while Tayela Brown performed a jazz routine titled “Melody Cool.” McKenna Cunningham closed out the solo performances with a lyrical dance to “Walk Away.”
After their individual performances, the seniors returned together to present a lyrical group routine to “All I Ask,” a meaningful moment that highlighted both their talent and the bond they have formed during their time on the team.
Cunningham praised the graduating dancers for their dedication and character.
“I am certain that Lucy Smith, McKenna Cunningham, Natalie Minor, and Tayela Brown will achieve great things in their future,” Cunningham said. “They are smart, talented, goal driven, and self-disciplined young ladies. They made me very proud to be their coach. I look forward to seeing what their future holds.”
The evening concluded with one final full-team performance, “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” an energetic kickline routine that brought the showcase to an exciting close. A traditional senior sign-out followed, marking the final on-stage moment for the graduating dancers.
While the Trojanette Review served as a celebration of the season, the team’s year is not quite finished. The dancers are preparing for their upcoming trip to compete at nationals.
“Next up for the Trojanettes is USA Nationals in Anaheim, California, March 13th-15th at the Anaheim Convention Center,” Cunningham said. “The team worked hard to earn a position to attend Nationals and in addition they fundraised for this event hosting the Gobble Wobble, seeking sponsorships, and selling caramels.”
She added that the team is grateful for the support they have received from the community throughout the season.
“We are very grateful to our sponsors, parents, family members, and friends who helped support us along the way,” Cunningham said. “The dancers are very excited to compete again as this is the first time the Trojanettes have hit the competition floor since I started coaching.”
With a successful season behind them and nationals ahead, the Trojanettes will soon take the stage once again—this time representing Pahrump Valley High School on a national level.
