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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Tenth-grader Kara Rigo, a member of the Saratoga High School Song Squad, flies over her teammate during rehearsal.
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Song Squad now has a reason for cheering and handstands
By Michelle Alaimo
The Saratoga High School Song Squad had achieved something that no SHS squad before them has done--placed 10th in the nation. The six-girl team competed against 27 other teams during the United Spirit Association National Competition March 27-29 at Disneyland.
"It was real exciting to see our work pay off," junior Pelin Erdal said.
The group was judged on the execution, choreography, technique and showmanship, advisor Julia Peck said.
All the girls have a background in dance, which is really necessary for them to stay in sync to the music, Erdal said. The team said they have improved their performance over last year because of more practice sessions. Senior Britton Peck said they used to practice only once a week but this year moved up to three times a week in an effort to improve their techniques and scores in competitions.
And the increase in practices paid off, Britton's mother, Julia, said. The squad has performed well at every competition this year and qualified to go to Nationals after getting a qualifying score at a regional competition held earlier this winter.
Group members, who each paid $400 to attend Nationals, said they were thrilled to place against such tough competition and as a reward got to spend time on the rides and enjoying shows at Disneyland.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
