WSDT Honored in Congressional Record

The was honored at December's joint meeting of the Rotary Club of Springfield and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) presented the students and teachers Jason King and Tara Perez — the group’s coaches, choreographers and creative directors -- with a statement he entered into the Congressional Record (attached), recognizing the dance team as exceptional for their two-time National Dance Team Championships and as finalists on NBC's America’s Got Talent.

In addition, WSDT was recognized by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, who made a motion at a recent Board of Supervisors' meeting to honor the team.  The motion passed unanimously, and is quoted below.

"Supervisor Pat Herrity

Joint Board Matter

September 13, 2011

West Springfield High School Dance Team on America’s Got Talent

Background: Madame Chairman, on Tuesday September 6^th the West Springfield High School Dance Team (WSDT) competed in the nationally televised America’s Got Talent show on NBC for the final time. WSDT did an amazing job and beat out many great acts to make it to the final ten. They and all those associated with West Springfield High School should be extremely proud of this accomplishment which has seen them receive national praise and attention.

If you remember last year we honored the dance team when they won the NDA National Championship, and I think it was clear to all of us that this was a very special team. Since that time they auditioned to be on America’s Got Talent via YouTube and were consistently selected to progress in the competition due to their amazing performances which combined excellently choreographed dance with original and playful plot lines. This culminated last week when they performed in the semi-finals to be in the final five of the competition, but sadly they were the last team cut and just missed out.

Both the dancers and the coaches of the West Springfield Dance Team have put in an amazing amount of practice time and dedication to their passion to get to this level, and it is a great reflection of their character, spirit, and talent that they have made it to the final ten. I would like to congratulate both the coaches, Tara Perez and Jason King, as well all of the dancers who came within a whisker of winning the one million dollar prize. Each one of them is a testament to their school, thier family, and to Fairfax County.

The character, fortitude, and class of the team was displayed vividly by one dancer when asked what she thought of the judges’ comments she replied “…we respect all of their criticism, and we’re really going to take it and try and work harder.”

Motion: Madame Chairman, I move that we bring the West Springfield High School Dance Team before the Board to receive a resolution honoring them for their outstanding accomplishment of making the final 10 on America’s Got Talent."