The poms squad earned top honors at Team Dance Illinois (TDI) State, ranking first in hip-hop and open pom.  Their routines also helped them earn the title of 3A Grand Champion, which is awarded to the team with the highest overall scores.

“It meant a lot that not only did we win in our own categories, we also came above in all the other dances, too,” Zoë Peszek, senior, said.  “It shows that hard work really does pay off.”

This season was highly successful for the girls, as they were undefeated in Illinois hip-hop and placed fifth at UDA Nationals.  Despite their success, the team was not sure they would rank so high at State, according to Peszek.

“We were kind of thinking, like, ‘oh we’re not going to get it,’ because there was another team in there was pretty good, too.  Right when they called our names we all just jumped up and were hugging and crying,” Peszek said.

Regardless of their nervousness, the team managed to trump the competition and bring home three trophies.  According to Peszek, winning State was the team’s final goal of the season.

“It feels really, really good to accomplish our ultimate goal,” Peszek said. “Not many teams can say that they got each and every goal, and this year we did.”

While winning State was meaningful to all of the girls, it was especially important to the six senior girls who were able to end their LZHS pom career with a win at State.

“Practices are rough, but to think that it had a meaning, you know? I was on the team for three years, so the three years that I’ve been doing it, each year led up to this,” Peszek said.

While next year’s squad may have a lot to live up to, the six seniors leaving opens up opportunities for those interested in joining the team.  Peszek advises those considering trying out to “just go for it.”

“It’s so much fun, so don’t feel intimated by this past year.  Every year is new, different,” Peszek said.

Overall, Peszek says this season was less about talent and more about teamwork.  While the team was extremely talented, she says their closeness made their State championship possible.

“You can have all the skills, and you can have a great routine, but that’ll get you nowhere if you don’t have a connection with the people that you’re dancing with,” Peszek said. “We’re super, super close, and we’re all confident in each other.  What really sets us apart from the other teams is believing that we can do it.”