Lake Forest Academy’s Cheer and Dance Team, Chance, began their 2025-26 season in November, working hard to learn and choreograph pieces to showcase. The team works to uplift school spirit at basketball games through their chants and halftime performances, but this year, Chance introduced a new aspect: competitions.
Beginning competitions has been a goal of head coach Emily Hansen since she first started coaching Chance. “I was so impressed with the talent of our dancers, and it was something that I thought they would be successful at,” Hansen explained.
Competing this year has been a new opportunity for many of Chance’s members. “There are only a few people who have ever done competitions, and for at least 85% of us, it is our first time,” shared Chance captain Coco Zheng ’28. “It was my first time choreographing a competition piece,” she added, explaining that hip-hop for competition is different from the halftime entertainment Chance typically prepares for.
Chance participated in two competitions this year, but didn’t make it to the state-level competition, which would have been their third. Still, Chance placed very well: first place in the category for both of their competitions. They competed in the Single A Hip-Hop category alongside other schools similar in size to LFA. A smaller group of twelve dancers attended competitions, along with four alternates.
Zheng shared a firsthand competition day experience. The team would begin by waking up early to do hair and makeup, and then drive to the competition and get assigned a classroom to prepare in. After watching other schools compete, changing into costumes, and warming up, Chance would perform and attend an award ceremony later that day to see how they placed.
Competitions weren’t the only change that Chance made this season. While they had previously attended JV and Varsity Basketball games, after noticing a low student turnout for JV games, the team transitioned to cheering and dancing for Varsity games only. As Zhang explained, “not many people would be on the bleachers to cheer us on, so we didn’t think it was necessary.” Additionally, with the incorporation of competitions, Hansen added that “something had to give.”
Although this year was a trial, Chance hopes to continue competing as they move into future seasons. Hansen aspires to have the team perform in two categories, focusing on both poms — incorporating cheer motions with fast-paced dance — and hip-hop to work on multiple dance styles. Hansen mentioned that trying out competitions gave her “the confidence to say that this is something we can do and keep doing.”
Chance’s competition season was met with positive regard. “I think everybody really loved it,” mentioned Zheng. After the success of the 2025-26 season, the team looks forward to continued growth and excitement in the coming years.