This summer, members of the Merrillville High School dance team attended the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Camp, an experience that not only challenged their skills, but also brought the team closer together. 

From learning new routines to competing for All-American status, the dancers reflected on the growth they experienced. A highlight of the camp came when whenThe Mirror Jameela Morgan, Ariyana Echols, Saniyya Lee, Suri Henley and Paishance Monroe were named All-American winners.

At UDA, being named All-American is one of the highest honors a dancer can earn. To qualify for All-American dancers must try out by performing a routine taught by the camp instructors. The performance is judged based on performance and technique. 

The girls that are selected for All-American are recognized based on their talent and hard work. The award also comes with opportunities, being able to perform and travel across the world for different kinds of parades.

For many, the camp was about more than just dancing. It was about building bonds and confidence. 

“The most exciting thing was doing the camp period. Camp is a fun experience and something I enjoy since being on the dance team and doing it every summer,” said Jameela Morgan, who said the coaching staff was “really nice and kind” and better than in years past. 

Other dancers shared how camp helped them grow. “It improved my skills as a dancer and also taught me new ways to show my school spirit,” said

This summer, members of the Merrillville High School dance team attended the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Camp, an experience that not only challenged their skills, but also brought the team closer together. 

From learning new routines to competing for All-American status, the dancers reflected on the growth they experienced. A highlight of the camp came when when Jameela Morgan, Ariyana Echols, Saniyya Lee, Suri Henley, and Paishance Monroe were named all American winners.

At UDA, being named All-American is one of the highest honors a dancer can earn. To qualify for All American dancers must try out by performing a routine taught by the camp instructors. The performance is judged based on performance and technique. 

The girls that are selected for All-American are recognized based on their talent and hard work. The award also comes with opportunities, being able to perform and travel across the world for different kinds of parades.

For many, the camp was about more than just dancing. It was about building bonds and confidence. 

“The most exciting thing was doing the camp period. Camp is a fun experience and something I enjoy since being on the dance team and doing it every summer,” said Senior Jameela Morgan, who added that the coaching staff was “really nice and kind” and better than in years past. 

Other dancers shared how camp helped them grow. “It improved my skills as a dancer and also taught me new ways to show my school spirit,” said Senior Saniyya Lee, a junior. 

She also noted that the season has been stronger because the camp “helped my team become better dancers and grow a closer bond.”

Senior Ariyana Echols agreed that the camp had a big impact on the team’s growth. “I think the camp really helped improve our dance team because we pushed ourselves and learned how to work harder together,” she said.  

Some dancers found the challenges rewarding. 

“I would say the most difficult part of UDA camp would probably be the hip hop techniques that the instructors taught, such as the head pop-up,” Senior Suri Henley said. 

Despite the challenges, she said the team-bonding moments stood out the most. “Having team debriefs where we did game challenges was a moment I’ll always remember because it helped me connect more with my teammates,” she said.  

Junior Paishance Monroe, attending for the first time, said she was initially nervous. “I was afraid of being drained and scared mostly because it was my first year, but as I learned the techniques and dance I got comfortable and definitely started having fun,” she said. 

By the end, Monroe was proud to become an All-American during her first year. 

The camp also pushed the team as a whole. “What stood out most to me was the level of growth that the team had accomplished as a whole. I saw improvement in everyone from the beginning to the end,”  Henley said.

Monroe agreed, saying the experience “ brought us closer together to build stronger relationships with one another.”

From perfection routines to celebrating accomplishments, the UDA Camp gave the dancers valuable lessons that will last beyond the season. “The most exciting part for me was All American tryouts, because we learned a lot of different dance styles, so I got to try new things,” Saniyya said.

She also noted that the season has been stronger because the camp “helped my team become better dancers and grow a closer bond.”

Ariyana agreed that the camp had a big impact on the team’s growth. “I think the camp really helped improve our dance team because we pushed ourselves and learned how to work harder together,” she said.  

Some dancers found the challenges rewarding. 

“I would say the most difficult part of UDA camp would probably be the hip hop techniques that the instructors taught, such as the head pop-up,” Suri

said. 

Despite the challenges, she said the team-bonding moments stood out the most. “ Having team debriefs where we did game challenges was a moment I’ll always remember because it helped me connect more with my teammates,” she said.