Spartan Dance Team choreographs bid for state finals

Wheaton, IL – 25 February 2008 – Racking up a dance card of competitive kudos, the Varsity Dance Team of St. Francis High School in Wheaton is on its way to the Team Dance Illinois State Competitions on March 2.

The Spartans earned an Automatic Qualification Bid to state finals when they took second place in the AA Open Dance/Jazz Category at the TDI “Stay Classy” Dance Competition on February 10. They also received a Wild Card Qualification Bid in the AA Lyrical Dance Category.

The State Championship tourney will be held at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, IL. It will highlight the best varsity dance, drill and pom teams in elite competition.

Earlier this season, the Spartans qualified for the UDA (Universal Dance Association) National Dance Competition at Disney World in Orlando, FL.

The St. Francis dance team is captained by Brittany Clemons ( St. Charles ), Jami Jurich (Wayne) and Brittany Levato ( Carol Stream ). Other team members include Katrina Clark (Hanover Park), Velarie Belovsky (St. Charles), Emily Carew (Carol Stream), Jessica Defino (Carol Stream), Madi Matichak (Glen Ellyn), Meghan McLaughlin (Bartlett), Emily Parenti (Bloomingdale), Amanda Peplow (Bartlett), Lauren Philiotis (St. Charles), Charissa Valdez (Hanover Park) and Courtney Windisch (St. Charles). The team is coached by Mary Prastscher, St. Francis teacher and alumna.