Story Published:
Mar 2, 2008 at 10:23 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Mar 3, 2008 at 10:32 AM CDT
Today at the Peoria Civic Center Team Dance Illinois brought in hundreds of dancers from throughout the state.
Organizers say teen dancers can display their talents at the Second annual T–D–I competition...while learning to become a better person.
91 dance teams have made the cut for the Team Dance Illinois competition. Teenage girls are showing off their dancing skill as they compete against each other in eight different categories. Members of team Antioch say this event is not just about beating the competition.
Keeley Thode said, "You come here to win but you also come here to show what you have. Each team is different in their own way."
Megan Cole said, "But for the teams that aspire to be a step above the rest they say they have one thing in common...discipline."
We spend every minute together it keeps us out of trouble we don't have time to go around doing things that we shouldn't be.
State Championship director Mike Marquardt said, "To be competitive they're practicing just as much as the basketball teams the football teams sometimes even more because they have to all be skilled identically in order to be successful."
Dancing isn't just keeping some of these participants out of trouble...Its shows your respect for people it shows you sportsmanship and how dedication and hard work can go a long way.
Thodes hopes their work will mold her team into respectful young women while also bringing their hometown of Antioch a dance championship.