LT takes state finals by storm

For the first time in Lyons Township High School history, the Winter Guard was named state champions in the AAA Tall Flags competition at the Illinois Drill Team Association’s 41st State Finals.

The Tall Flag category requires the use of any flag with a staff longer than 3.5 feet as the focal point of the performance. A combination of movements with simultaneous flag work and a routine that creates memorable visual effects and excitement to the viewer are part of the judging criteria.

Coach Bridget Dominiak is an alumni member of the LT Color Guard. She said, “Words cannot express how excited we are as a team. The girls worked so hard and you can really see that when they perform. We added extra practices this season, meeting three times each week, instead of two, and adding rehearsal one night a week. I am very excited for next year already have costume and song ideas. The support from the school, the Parent Teacher Council and the poms coaches have been amazing and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

In addition, senior Kaila Baker, of Brookfield, took 2nd place in the State Miss/Mr. IDTA/Flag soloist category. As a soloist, any style of flag may be used in a 1.5-2 minute routine. A soloist must receive a qualifying score of 80% to proceed to the Miss/Mr. IDTA/Flag Finals.

Baker performed a piece by Pentatonix, which she choreographed herself. Coach Dominiak says, “Kaila not only is a wonderful performer, she is a great leader and one of our captains. She knows how to push the team in a positive direction and make everyone feel like a star.”

At the same IDTA competition, for the third consecutive year, the LT Varsity Poms were crowned State champions in the AAA Lyrical Dance category. They also placed 4th overall in the Pom/Dance category. The Junior Varsity Poms squad took 2nd in State in the AAA Lyrical Dance category as well.

Varsity Poms Coach Brittany Smith said, “The team has put a lot of time and effort into their lyrical/contemporary routine. They’ve been working on it since November. The squad has background and training in ballet, jazz, and lyrical, which makes this style a strong suit for them. It is also a style that I am most comfortable in, so my ability to clean, tweak and enhance the choreography and skills comes naturally.”

“This year's routine was a deeper, darker style than the pretty style lyrical we've done the last two years. The dancers had to channel their emotions and strength to get through to their audience and judges. They worked hard to bring this routine to life this season,” Smith added.