Winners of five national championships in the past four years, the Bearden dancers are no strangers to the large media presence of the national stage in Orlando.
But getting ESPN coverage is still something high schoolers have to adjust to.
The Bulldogs won the pom national championship at this year’s competition, and sponsor Mrs. Rebecca Nutter believes that this gave the dance team the exposure that they deserve.
“Dance is a sport or activity that a lot of people do not understand,” Mrs. Nutter said. “Having it be on ESPN is full exposure for dance because those kids are absolutely athletes.”
Senior Jordan James was the first one on the mic after the announcement that the team had won, and the video of his interview attracted plenty of attention on social media.
“Our theme was ‘Cha Cha Slide,’ and we Cha Cha Slid into first place,” James said only moments after accepting the trophy.
James’s teammates said that he perfectly captured their mood at that moment.
“I think everyone’s reaction to what Jordan said after the win was a general ‘Oh yeah, we did!’” senior Kenzie Bankes said.
Senior Eli Keziah was interviewed minutes later and also showed impressive composure in the spotlight. When asked how he felt about the interview, he said he just wanted express the team’s emotions after winning pom and throughout the competition.
“I was still in shock from winning, but I wanted to just sum up how we have been feeling all weekend,” Keziah said. “I feel like they got the real raw emotion that I was feeling at the time.
“I was very excited. I just said what was on my mind.”
The dance team’s national championship being featured on ESPN brought added media presence to Bearden High School, ultimately adding a positive emphasis.
“The attention the dance team has gotten through our successes I think is really positively reflecting our school and community,” Mrs. Nutter said.