On March 15, 2025,  the Emerson Majestics Drill team secured a 1st place Overall National Champion Team award at the Crowd Pleasers Orlando National Contest. They also earned titles for solo performances and duets, all achieved through months of discipline, practice, and hardwork. 

The Majestics competed in two separate competitions this season and performed exceedingly well in both events. They won 1st place in the medium division as a team and 2nd place in the medium division officer awards at both competitions. 

“This year, we had the privilege of competing in three prestigious contests: the ADTS Contest at Plano Senior High School on Feb. 8, the Crowd Pleasers Regional Contest at Independence High School on Feb. 22 and the Crowd Pleasers National Contest in Orlando, FL, on March 15,” Head Director Amanda Burch said. “Each competition provided invaluable opportunities for growth, teamwork, and showcasing our dedication and talent.”

After their victories at both competitions, they qualified for the National Competition and competed against three teams in their division. This was no easy feat, as it took months of commitment to learning choreography and practicing new dance techniques.

“We dedicate ourselves to daily practice sessions, including morning rehearsals and during class time,” Burch said. “Over the summer, we focused on learning the contest routines, and then we held auditions in the fall to select the final performances. By the time winter break arrived, we finalized and set each dance, allowing us to begin refining and perfecting them as soon as the second semester began. 

In addition to the rigorous preparation, the Majestics also faced some challenges at the National competition, since they performed in an unfamiliar environment against the top teams in the nation.

“Nationals were very different from what we were used to, especially compared to the usual competition floor around our district,” Social Officer Taylor Thompson said. “The flooring was different, and I was initially worried about how this contrast would affect us, especially with the new technique we just learned. However, I trusted our coach and team, and we performed amazingly despite the circumstances.”

The team formed a very close bond through hours of practice time spent together which led to a very successful performance.

“The competition went really well because of how well we connected and understood each other,” Thompson said. “The team morale was very high and everyone came ready to compete, this made our dances ten times stronger than what we had originally practiced.”

The Emerson Majestics are an outstanding team whose character, dedication and hard work led them to success. Their commitment is evident in their performances and bond they have built as a team. 

“I am incredibly proud of our team’s remarkable achievement in winning 1st Place National Champion Overall Team at the National Contest,” Burch said. “However, what fills me with even greater pride is the exemplary character each team member has displayed at every competition. At each event, our dancers have been a beacon of positivity and kindness, shining brightly and uplifting everyone around them. Their integrity and sportsmanship truly reflect the heart of our team.”

Team Awards

• 1st Place National Championship Overall Team
• Highest Scoring Routing of the Day- Team Pom
• 1st Place Medium Division Team
• 1st Place Medium Division Team Pom
• 1st Place Medium Division Team Jazz
• 1st Place Medium Division Team Contemporary 
• Crowd Pleaser Award- Team Jazz 
• Outstanding Artistry Award- Team Jazz, Team Pom, and Team Contemporary 
• Overall Academic Achievement Award 

Officer Awards

• 2nd Place Overall Officers 
• 2nd place Medium Division Officers
• 1st place Medium Division Officer Jazz
• 1st Place Medium Division Officer Novelty
• 1st Place Medium Division Officer Contemporary
• Outstanding Artistry Award- Officer Jazz & Contemporary

Solos

• 1st Place National Champion Senior Soloist- Ava McCall
• 1st Place National Champion Junior Soloist- Callie Petty
• 1st Place National Champion Sophomore Soloist- Jade Bontron
• 3rd Place Senior Soloist- Natsuki Yamazawa
• 2nd PlaceSophomore Soloist- Addison Erwin

Duets

• 1st Place National Champion Duet- McCall/ Bontron
• 3rd Place Duet- Caitlin/ Voss