Miller
The North Broward Eagles Dance Team brings spirit and skill to every performance, dazzling audiences throughout the school year. The Eagle Gazette had the opportunity to interview two Eagle dancers, Talia Wilder and Mia Herdsman, about their experiences on the team.
Talia has been dancing for 5 years and now not only performs at school but also trains at Real Dance. As a high school Eagles Dancer, she gets to showcase routines during halftime at football games, pep rallies, and recitals.
Talia’s favorite style of dance is ballet, which she takes from Ms. Moni. According to Talia, “Ms. Moni is so funny, and the way that she counts music is so entertaining. It actually helps you memorize the combo.” Ms. Moni is one of the many wonderful teachers who help students grow as dancers at North Broward. Beyond the studio, Talia shared that balancing practices can be challenging at times. When asked about the workload and amount of practices, Talia responded, “It is a lot sometimes, but it’s worth it, you know? For big things like Homecoming week, we meet a lot, but it’s definitely a lot of fun.”
This year, the Eagles Dance Team performed their hip hop number at the pep rally. After their successful performance, the team danced at halftime for the homecoming football game, which was a crowd favorite.
Talia shared how supportive her teammates have been this season, which has made her experience even more rewarding. When asked what her biggest advice would be to anyone wishing to try out, she said, “Definitely don’t be intimidated, because it’s such a welcoming environment, and you’ll have a great time.” Talia reflected that throughout this season, the team’s positive environment has been encouraging. NBPS has inspired her to continue dancing throughout high school; maybe even beyond that.
Like Talia, sophomore dancer Mia Herdsman has also found joy and community through dance. Mia Herdsman, now a sophomore Eagle, was a part of the Middle School Competition Dance Team. On the team, Mia performed in multiple competitions, including ADA, DTU, and UDA. Her favorite style of dance is pom; she describes it as “energetic, fun to do, and engaging for the crowd.”
Mia specialized in acro, mastering aerials and backhandsprings. Her fondest memory was her UDA competition, where she had the opportunity to travel to Orlando.“The environment was exciting and supportive,” she shared. After performing, she and some of her teammates visited Disney, creating treasured memories she’ll cherish forever.
Reflecting on her time on the middle school team, Mia said, “The coaches provided a safe and uplifting environment that allowed me to grow as a dancer and greatly shaped me as a person.” She encourages anyone interested in dance to put themselves out there and try out. In the end, whether it’s in middle school or high school, dance at North Broward gives students the chance to express themselves creatively, build confidence, and chase their dreams.