Members of the North Vermilion Dreams Dance Team pictured with White Championship Jackets; Bottom: Jaylen LeBlanc (Manager), Kylie Istre, Marlee Nugier, Gabby Leonard, Gracyn Meaux; Top: Coti Alpha, Julie Romero, Meg Touchet, Ashley Guidry, Anne Istre, Camille Davidson, and Jaycie Hardy; Not Pictured: Coaches, Vangie Davidson and Shamayne Istre
North Vermilion Dreams coaches Vangie Davidson and Shamayne Istre said of the team reaching the level of National Champions, “This is our Everest.
The 2024 version of the North Vermilion Dreams took the program to new heights in its 10 year.
National Champions: North Vermilion Dance Team makes history
The North Vermilion Dreams’ Dance Team made Vermilion Parish history on Saturday by winning the National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Fla.
The NV Dance Team won the Division II Small Varisy Dame Day National Championship. The Dreams competed in Small Varsity Game Day & Hip Hop this past weekend at the UDA National Dance Team Championship held in Orlando, FL at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Also, the Erath High Extreme Dance Team took home second place in the Medium Varsity Division category.
NV Dance team has been competing on the National Level for 10 years. Prior to this year, a fifth in Game Day and eighth in Hip Hop served as the highest finishes for the Dreams.
Vangie Davidson is the coach of the NV Dance.
“It was a Dream come true!” Davidson exclaimed after the win. “Such an emotional rollercoaster knowing that years of hard work really can pay off and that the hometown girls from the town of Maurice made it to the top!”
North Vermilion had been trending upwards during its recent runs at a national title, so the title shouldn’t come as a complete surprise.
“NV has been on the rise the last 2 years,” Davidson said, “but I think we did surprise our competitors.”
Whatever the outcome, Davidson knew the Dreams gave a top-flight performance.
“They executed their routine at a personal best,” Davidson said, “and at that point it was all in the judge’s hands.”
This win only solidifies what was already an outstanding group, as far as the coaching staff is concerned.
“The Dreams have proven how special they are year after year,” Davidson said. “They rise to expectation because they know the importance of accountability. They exhibit self-discipline and sacrifice. They have a true passion for their craft and want to make their community and school proud. They face many obstacles preparing for competition. They rarely have the space needed to practice efficiently but will always make the best out of it, and have proven where there’s a will, there’s a way. When something stands in their way, they push through because they know their value and what they are capable of. They are also very involved in school activities and maintain a team GPA of 3.7 or above.
“They are the definition of a champion in many ways!”