Biology teacher Katherine Pugar could not imagine life without dance.
She danced throughout childhood and was on her high school dance team at Shaler Area High School, as well as the team at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown.
Her favorite part about being in a team was their time together when travelling and practicing late at night for competitions.
“I could trust them, not only as a friend, but physically as a dancer, too,” Pugar said.
Now, she hopes members of Baldwin’s new dance team develop that same level of trust.
When a few students expressed their interest in dancing, Pugar felt she could use her background to coach them and help start a team for Baldwin High School.
“Many of the students reported that they were really excited about creating and joining a dance team. Some had friends from other districts who had one, and they were waiting for someone to start one back up,” Pugar said.
Students who had an early interest in the team are excited for its future.
“I noticed that other schools have dance teams, and I was just hoping we would have one soon. So when I saw we were getting one, I knew I had to join,” freshman Jennisha Rai said.
The team plans to focus on pom style, a type of jazz dance with pom poms, but Pugar is open to new ideas based on the dancers’ passions.
“I am very passionate about it,” Pugar said. “Now I am a teacher who has built meaningful relationships with students who are now also showing up to the practices. I am just happy that I can be someone they can trust.”
The team has two team captains, junior Josie Lang and sophomore Molly Porco. The team practices at least two times a week after school.
“We warm everyone up, then we teach new parts and run things we previously learned and put it all together,” Lang said.
The captains enjoy collaborating.
“I get to make new friends, and I love teaching and helping people with dance,” Porco said.
Junior Carson Bender is one of the 16 members of the team.
“Ms. Pugar is really nice. We picked our outfits from a set of choices, and when my mom asked about changing it for me, she was fully open,” Bender said.
Moving forward, the team has aspirations to grow.
“I like that the team is very diverse, and it helps us all come together and share one experience,” senior Agnes Salako said. “I hope that can continue moving forward,”
Because the team just started practicing in December, they will not participate in any competitions this school year. The plan is to begin competing “hopefully next year, once we get our name out and have built the team from within,” Pugar said.
Pugar hopes that the team continues to grow both in skill and teamwork as they continue to spend time together.
“Dance helped me become the person I am today,” Pugar said. “I want to continue leading students in dance like I help lead them in the classroom.”
The team will have its first performance on Jan. 20 at the freshmen boys basketball game. They also plan to perform for the boys and girls varsity basketball on Jan. 30.
