Hi-Steppers named National Champs

The Dripping Springs High School Hi-Steppers capped off a successful spring competition season on Saturday, March 25 by winning the Crowdpleasers National Showcase in Orlando, FL.

The Hi-Steppers were crowned Pom and Team Open national champions and finished as first runners-up in the Hip Hop and Contemporary categories. The squad also garnered the Crowdpleasers Entertainment Award for Pom and Hip Hop and the Outstanding Artistry Award for Contemporary and Team Open.

In the officer awards, Dripping Springs claimed the title in Novelty and finished in second place in Jazz and Contemporary en route to overall second-place honors. The officers also collected the Crowdpleasers Entertainment Award for Novelty and the Outstanding Artistry Award for Jazz.

The Hi-Steppers also claimed the Academic Award of Excellence with the highest team GPA of 4.2.

Individually, sophomore Danica Best and junior Isabella Torres were champion soloists for their grade level, while junior Morgan Rockwood was named first runnerup. For duets, Samantha Heltzel and Leah Thompson were tabbed first runners-up to finish in front of third-place finishers Molly Minter and Alexis Holmes.

Earlier this month, the DSHS Dazzlers concluded their season by being named State Grand Champions. The team captured first place in the Lyrical, Novelty, Jazz and Pom categories and earned Artistry Awards in Novelty and Lyrical.

The Hi-Steppers and Dazzlers will close out the year with their annual Spring Show on April 21– 22 at 7 p.m. in the Dripping Springs High School auditorium.