Northwest Dance Team Wows at UDA Dance Camp
Senatobia, MS (08/01/2025) — The Northwest Dance team went to UDA's camp in July, held at the University of Alabama. During this camp, they not only worked on improving their dancing chops, but they also received numerous accolades for their striking performances.
"This year, going into UDA College Camp, we focused extremely hard on pushing forward our standard of excellence while also expanding on the style we have created," said Northwest Dance Coach, Patrice Christian. "Our team is extremely dedicated and hardworking, and put together a nationals-worthy home routine in just under 2 weeks, which earned them a very rare gold ribbon for the second year in a row. To say this team is special would be a vast understatement. At UDA Camp, they earned many awards, but one of the most important to us was the 'leadership award' because it is voted on by other teams, including large universities. I genuinely believe this speaks to the incredible culture we have, which is what I am most proud of. This season is going to be incredible, and I am so excited for everyone to see just how powerful our program is."
At this event, Northwest dancers got to train alongside some of the top colleges in dance, including the University of Alabama, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Miami, Samford University, and others.
Northwest Dance landed first place for their home routine, as well as an extremely rare gold ribbon, which is only given to nationals' ready routines that are above and beyond, according to Christian.
They also got first for their fight song competition, a superior blue ribbon for their gameday evaluation, a superior trophy for their A Routine evaluation, and the "Leadership Award," which was voted on by other teams.
Northwest's Dance Leadership, from Christian, team manager Kamarion Hooks, and the dance team coordinator Michaela Myhre, Vice President of Student and Enrollment Management Dr. Tonyalle Rush, all the way to Northwest President Dr. Michael J. Heindl, have been essential in the success of these groups.
"It's important for our students, not only just for their growth as dancers, as leaders, as student athletes," said Dr. Rush. "But it's also important, like I said, just the recognition that we receive having Northwest as a top known as a top program in the country for Hip Hop and for Game Day is amazing."
The Dance team outside of going to events like this one, cheering on the Rangers at home and on opponents' fields. They also give back to their communities at numerous charitable and volunteer events, living out one of the College's mission about enriching their communities.
"That just relates to our mission and our vision," said Rush. "We transform our student lives, we enrich our communities, and we strive for excellence in all of our educational programs and services. And so, I think this team demonstrates that excellence, that it takes countless hours to have a team this dynamic."
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Photo provided by Northwest’s dance coach, Patrice Christian.