The Virgin Valley High School VVettes are already hard at work preparing for the upcoming season, beginning with a leadership retreat for the team’s four captains, followed by a full-team experience at Epic Dance Camp in St. George, Utah.

The VVettes leadership team, led by head captain Katelee Dalton, gathered for Leadership Camp at the local 4-H building, where they spent the day planning nearly every aspect of the upcoming year. Co-captains Dylan Aughney, Aniyah Perez and Kaiya Manson worked alongside coaches and Dalton to organize fundraising efforts, community service projects, performances, parades, choreography, costumes, team activities and the overall calendar for the season.

The VVettes are also members of the Virgin Valley Dance Company 4-H Club, which was established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the leadership retreat, the girls created personalized planners, developed team calendars and received assignments and responsibilities for the year ahead.

In addition to planning, the team participated in leadership development activities designed to help them become effective role models. The girls completed personality assessments and participated in lessons focused on leadership styles, communication, self-respect, teamwork and creating a positive team culture. Coach Denise Houston emphasized the importance of positive language, encouraging leaders to replace phrases such as “I’ll try” with “I can” and committing to improving by 1% every single day. 

“The atmosphere we create starts with our leaders,” head coach Erica Garrett explained. “When leaders communicate positively and respectfully, it sets the tone for the entire team.”

The day also included team-building activities, lunch at Cafe Rio and a leadership bonding experience at Painted Hippo, where the captains and coaches enjoyed an afternoon of creativity and connection.

Shortly afterward, the VVettes traveled to St. George for the annual Epic Dance Camp on June 2 and 3. The girls stayed overnight and were welcomed with decorated hotel room doors featuring this year’s team theme, “Sisters Livin’ La Vida Loca.”

Throughout camp, dancers participated in intensive training sessions focused on stretching, conditioning, technique and choreography. They learned a hip-hop routine, a pom routine and a camp dance that will be incorporated into future performances. The dancers also participated in High Fitness workouts and received specialized technical instruction from experienced Epic staff members, including college dancers, professional instructors and veteran coaches from across the region.

Having attended Epic Camp for many years, the VVettes coaching staff carefully selected classes designed to best meet the team’s needs and focus on technical growth. Coaches noted that while this year’s team roster is smaller than in previous seasons, the reduced size has created additional opportunities for individualized instruction and development.

The VVettes earned several awards and recognitions throughout camp for their effort, attitude and teamwork. Among the most meaningful honors was the highly sought-after Epic Choice Award. The award recognizes the team that demonstrates exceptional work ethic, positive energy, kindness, teamwork, leadership and encouragement toward others throughout the camp experience.

Dalton also earned individual recognition after being selected by VVettes coaches to compete in Epic’s “Top Core” competition. Participants were evaluated not only on dance ability, but also on leadership, teamwork, attitude and how they worked with fellow dancers throughout the entire camp experience.

Dalton advanced to the top-20 finalists, where she performed a choreographed routine while adding her own individual style and choreography elements. Coaches praised her performance, calling her effort impressive and noting the confidence and talent she displayed throughout the competition.

Additional honors were awarded to VVettes dancers during camp, with Epic staff recognizing  Dalton as the team MVP and Zoee Serna receiving the Hardest Worker Award for her dedication, effort and determination throughout the camp experience.

Kaiya Manson and Dalton also placed in the top 20 during the highly competitive drill-down military competition, showcasing their precision, technique and strong performance skills among dancers from teams attending camp.

Coaches praised the team for the way they represented Virgin Valley High School both on and off the dance floor, consistently supporting one another while maintaining positive attitudes and respect for fellow dancers and instructors. The coaches’ daily awards went to Dalton and Aughney for representing positive energy, determination and focus during the camp.  

The routines learned at camp will be showcased throughout football season, with one performance planned for an upcoming Real Salt Lake soccer event in August. Coaches praised the team’s dedication, growth, and willingness to learn as they begin another exciting year representing Virgin Valley High School and the VVettes program.