Hard-Working Dance Team to Represent Braintree in Florida National Competition

While down in Orlando, FL this week for nationals, 's dancers might get a few hours to enjoy Disney World, but only in between competing against teams from across the country with one routine and learning another for a tournament in Massachusetts when they return.

The squad is a New England powerhouse – dominating local, state and regional competitions in the past year – because its 22 girls work hard and practice nearly every single day, led this season by a group of passionate seniors.

All five of the team's seniors, interviewed last week ahead of , started dancing when they were 2 and 3 years old. The Dance Studio of Braintree was one early training ground, where most of the girls got to know each other and some followed in their siblings' footsteps. Through the years, they have added skills and continued to evolve as dancers – from ballet, tap and jazz to more technical, fast-paced routines.

The girls credit their success to the bonds they have developed as teammates and friends, and their drive to perform well and keep themselves motivated every day.

"It pushes you," Liana MacDonald said. "There's always room for improvement."

"I just love my team," said Olivia DiBona.

Interviewed before a Wednesday afternoon practice at BHS, the girls would go on to practice late on Thursday, perform at a girls basketball game Friday night, practice Saturday, Sunday and Monday before a Monday evening dress rehearsal in the BHS gym.

This Thursday, the team, its coaches and a number of parents will fly to Florida, where the girls will get off the plane and get right back to practicing.

"It's hard work and it's worth it," Siena McHugh said.

The girls' efforts extend beyond perfecting their routines. They've helped put together an iPad 2 raffle and lawn poster campaign to raise money for their trip, and also staged two in the Braintree High gymnasium featuring crafts, music, game and line-dancing.

Though much of the seniors' time is spent working on their award-winning routines, their schedules have also been filled with class and homework and completing college applications.

Some have settled on a school and major, like Stephanie Fitopoulos, who plans to attend Bridgewater State University for a degree in special education, and Liana, who will likely go to nursing school at UMass Boston. Olivia has narrowed down her choice as well, planning to study criminal justice and perhaps work as a psychologist with children, inspired by a trip with her law class to the Dedham House of Correction.

Siena, who is still deciding on schools, teaches dance with Olivia part-time. Abby Moore, a painter and photographer, also performs with the , most recently in December's The Nutcracker Ballet, and again this March in Cinderella. In addition to school, dance and playing for BHS's spring golf team, Liana works part-time at .

"It's pretty much a polar opposite," Liana said of playing golf; a different, more relaxing experience.

Most of the girls find time to relax hanging out with friends. For Stephanie, her long-haired dachshund Brady is a stress-reliever.

In Florida, the team will stay at a hotel in the Disney World complex. They will miss two days of school – Friday, Feb. 3 and Monday, Feb. 6 – but coach Jamie Hale has said that she will make sure they get all of their schoolwork done. The team was invited to the championship event based on a routine they performed at a summer dance camp at Emmanuel College, back in October.

"We've never really had this experience or this exposure," Stephanie said.

The squad is used to seeing many of the same teams again and again, Olivia said. "I think we need to go on to a new level."

Saturday will be the first day of competition, and how well they perform that day will determine if they continue through Sunday. All the seniors said it will be great to get out of Massachusetts, with Liana adding that she is used to going to Florida for vacation. 

"It's going to be fun in a whole different way," she said.