Competition season has only just begun for the Sensations. Their first competition this year was the Yvonne Cole Lindbergh Invitational which was held on Dec. 7. The Sensations performed two routines at the competition: a “Gatsby” themed jazz routine and a rain themed hip-hop routine.

“Lindbergh went really well this year, and it showed us what we needed to prepare for [the National Dance Team Championship],” senior captain Alli Benney said.

The Sensations represented FHC by placing 4th in jazz and 2nd in hip-hop.

“We were all really happy because [the performances] looked just as good as it had been when we were practicing. [The Lindbergh competition] gave us more goals and motivation for Nationals,” Benney said.

Currently, the Sensations have been preparing for Nationals by making changes to their routines based on the feedback they received from the judges at the Lindbergh Invitational.

“We have been practicing five days a week, Sundays through Thursdays. To make up for lost time from the snow days, we had to practice on a Friday and Saturday morning,” Benney said.

Nationals take place in Orlando, Florida.  Along with the dancers, the coaches, families and team manager senior Sydney Wilson will be attending the competition. Not only do the Sensations get to compete in Orlando, but they also get to walk through Disney World.

“The Disney parks are opened after the competition is over for the day. So after you dance all day, you get to spend the rest of the day in the Disney parks with your team,” Benney said.

The Sensations are trying new things this year and will be showing that out on the mat in Orlando.

“I’m really excited for Nationals because the dances are different from anything else we’ve done at Nationals and I’m anxious to see how it goes,” Benney said.

The Sensations leave for Nationals on Jan 30 and will arrive back to St. Louis on Feb. 3.