York Students To Dance On National TV

ELMHURST, IL — York High School students Allyson Hiser and Sophie Grabau say they would save their portion of a $1 million prize if their dance group wins a nationally televised competition. That's the responsible thing to do, after all.

But Hiser admits she may spend some money on a perk. "I do really love Starbucks. I'd put some of it to Starbucks," she said in an interview Monday with Elmhurst Patch.

At 9 p.m. Tuesday, the incoming York juniors are set to appear on NBC's "World of Dance," along with four other girls on their team at Carol Stream-based The Difference Dance Company. The girls are in the 17-and-under juniors division, vying for the $1 million prize.

The judges are Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo and Derek Hough.

"It was amazing to see these three idols who I never thought I would dance in front of," Hiser said.

Grabau called it an "incredible opportunity."

The team's segment was filmed a few months ago. But Hiser and Grabau are not at liberty to say how they fared before the show airs because of contractual obligations.

The girls' coach, Melissa Lobes, got them together last August in the hopes of getting a spot on "World of Dance." The York students knew just one of the other participants, Makayla D'Ambrosio of Palatine.

"We put in countless hours for this process to end up where we are," Hiser said.

Hiser has been dancing since she was 3, while Grabau started dancing competitively at 6.