While the school year is winding down for many students, members of the varsity Knightline dance team are putting their dance shoes on in anticipation for tryouts for the 08-09 school years.

Tryouts will be April 1-4 in the evening. They will consist of three clinics where the try-out routine will be learned and required techniques will be reviewed. Then on the fourth day the actual try outs will take place. The girls will perform the dance they learned and the required techniques in groups of three in front of a panel of judges.

“[The biggest challenge] is learning a dance in such a short amount of time,” junior Kelsey Monroe said. “It’s tough to get down.”

There are generally 35-40 girls who try out for the team each year. Of that only about 15 make the cut. According to coach Heather Hallvax ,all girls trying out are judged on execution, showmanship, technique, precision, memory, crowd appeal and appearance during the tryout performance.

“You always want to try to set an example,” Monroe said. “[You want to] try your hardest and impress people, you want the judges to remember you.”

The tryout performance was choreographed by Hallvax and senior and co captain, Amber Freidman. Many of the returning members of the team devote time to helping new members with their technique.

“If Hallvax sees someone one having a problem she’ll send one of older girls over to help,” junior and co captain of the team Lilly Williams said. “I like to help, it’s fun to see them do well.”

Williams and Monroe have both started preparing for tryouts by practicing their technique, stretching, and dancing at their studios. Monroe offers advice to those who will be trying out for the first time.

“Just have confidence,” Monroe said. “Hope for the best and try your hardest. The best thing to keep nerves down is to try your hardest and be confident.”