At just 6:15 pm on April 12, the BHS auditorium doors flew open, and members of our community started pouring in. The seats filled quickly as anticipation and excitement swept through the space. As the house lights dimmed, the energy grew even stronger.
Moments later, the curtains opened. Backstage, dancers and athletes passed one another, filled with nervous energy and ready to make lasting memories. The crowd was now set for a two-act show full of entertainment, surprises, and healthy competition.
The stage lights were bright, but it was the dancers and athletes’ smiles that lit up the room. The show had now officially begun, and the competition was underway. After performing the opening number as one big group of BHS students, we divided into dressing rooms and began getting ready for our routines with our partners. Our judges Monique Agurrie, Kristie Guyton, Stacey Tuomey, Eric Schwarzenegger, and Jerry Smith now faced the difficult task of deciding who would take the lead in this thrilling contest. The sophomore duo Neveah Garrett and Audrey Carty started off our show with a bang, they brought the energy and got the crowd excited for the rest of the show.
Before the audience knew it, the first act was over. The audience enjoyed a variety of routines with themes ranging from ballroom and country to hip hop and more. As the break began, audience members grabbed snacks, placed bets on baskets, and voted for their favorite duo. After 20 minutes, the show was back on. The curtain opened to reveal the next generation of BHS POMS, with students aged 5-12 performing a dance set to a mix of nostalgic and current Disney songs. Despite having very little practice, they delivered an entertaining, smile-filled performance for their families, friends, and mentors.
Once the future of POMS left the stage, the competition resumed. Seven more pairs of partners took the stage, raising stakes even higher. This year, the team decided to close the show with something a little different: a heartfelt performance by five graduating POMS seniors—Jenna Dick, Taylor Fry, Natalie Birney, Clare Porcella, and Michelle Yepez. They dedicated the piece to all of the people that helped them become the performers and individuals they are today.
After all of the competitors had performed, the show wrapped up with a groovy 70s inspired closing number, and it was time for awards. The partners were filled with nervous excitement, their butterflies palpable as they anxiously awaited the results. Our MCs, Scott Tuomey, and his daughter Danielle Tuomey began by announcing the Judges Choice Awards. Each judge selected their favorite performance and presented it to the duo that they believed deserved it. Five sets of partners were honored with these awards before our MCs moved to the most exciting part of the evening: the announcement of the top 3 performances. Third place was given to the incredibly entertaining and creative duo seniors, Michelle Yepez and Nick Beachley, for their Cobra Kai/Karate-themed performance. Their performance is something that the BHS has never seen before, and the team couldn’t be more excited for their accomplishment! Second place was awarded to senior Natalie Birney and junior Melissa Charbonneau, who’s contemporary piece to a classic Justin Timberlake song showcased their advanced dance skills. And finally, it was time to reveal the top duo. Senior Jenna Dick and junior AJ Ling becoming the first male athlete to ever take first place. His infectious energy, positivity, and hard work over the past few months made him a stand out performer. The BHS POMS club sends them our biggest congratulations and hope their achievement motivates more male athletes to participate in the competition in the future.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support the BHS POMS club and the athletes that participated in the competition. This event will always hold some of the most unforgettable memories for the POMS team. The team is extremely excited to continue making this event bigger and better each year, and they couldn’t do it without the unwavering support of the amazing and involved Brunswick community. The team hopes to see you in the BHS auditorium next year—who knows what surprises await.
