It’s a long way from Butler Road to Broadway.
The Mauldin High School Mavettes dance team made the trip in just five short years.
After this year’s group of senior dancers revived the team four years ago after a period of time when the squad was dormant, this week they find themselves in the middle of the holiday rush in New York City. On Thursday morning, they’ve got a date to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“It’s amazing,” team member Holland Belvin said. “It’s just crazy. We’ve gone from starting out brand new, and in four years we’re going to New York.”
The Mavettes are dancing along with other teams in the Spirit of America parade entry, which comprises more than 500 dancers from around the country from studio and school teams chosen from camps, competitions, and auditions. The choreography for the group was distributed via an online link, the music was sent later in the process, and this week, the dancers are in New York for four days of intensive practice before the parade performance.
That’s a long way from where the team started. Rylie Owens said the team, which performs at football games and pep rallies, has rounded into something few could have envisioned.
“I think the team has grown so much,” she said. “We started as a little dance team, nobody knowing what would happen and how we’d perform, and now we’ve come together and become an amazing team, and that’s been an incredible experience.”
Owens, who said it’s a family tradition to watch the parade, is most looking forward to seeing another dance team in action.
“I think it’s seeing the Rockettes,” she said. “I grew up dancing and watching them, and being able to se them is going to be great.”
Sydney Sullivan agrees with Owens, and said she’s proud of the way the team has come together, and the friendships that she’s formed.
“It’s kind of crazy to think about,” she said. “When we started it was a small team, and none of us really knew what we were getting into. It was the first dance team in five years. We didn’t know what to expect going in. I remember our very first pep rally, nobody really knew who we were, and we just kind of threw ourselves out there. And now everybody looks forward to seeing the Mavettes at the pep rallies and the games. I’ve created really strong bonds with all the girls on the team, and I’m looking forward to the rehearsals and getting to meet the other dancers in the parade.”
Austyn Anthony said that’s one of the things she’s most excited about as well.
“I’m looking forward to exploring the city, but also to be able to dance with a lot of people from around the country,” she said.
Mavettes coach Mary Belvin said the bonds formed through the team are probably the most special part of the experience.
“When we started the team, we advertised to dance studios,” she said. “There are a lot of studios throughout the Mauldin and Simpsonville area. We had six different studios represented on that first team. Girls go and dance all the time and they’re really tight with those people, but they might not know any of the girls from a different studio. What this team has done is sort of bridged that gap for dancers from studio to studio, and I think they’re just excited to do that on a national stage.”
Sarah Bloomingburg said she’s happy for the opportunity to experience a great trip with her friends on the team.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with my friends,” she said. “It’s senior year, so we might end up all going in different directions next year. It’s like one last ride. One last time together. It’s kind of bittersweet, but really exciting at the same time. And it’s crazy that we’re in the same parade as all these celebrities and known organizations, but I feel like we’ve earned our spot there and we’ve been working for it ever since the start.”
That spot is still surreal to Chloe Latimore, who’s been dancing for 15 years.
“I didn’t think one day it would be me in the parade,” she said. “It’s definitely surreal. This team has grown a lot in the past four years, not just as a team but as people. We push each other to be the best version of ourselves, not just through dance but in life. I’m excited to do this with these girls.”
There’s been a buzz around the team since the announcement came that they’d dance in the parade, Emma Housley said.
“Everybody’s been excited,” she said. “From teachers to students, they’ve said they’re watching the parade, can’t wait to see us. They ask us how we feel and what we’re excited about. I’m really happy to represent Mauldin and the rest of the upstate, and I’m excited about going to New York for the first time and spending time with these girls that I’ve been around for my whole high school career.”
Holland said the trip is a perfect ending to her high school career with the Mavettes.
“I watched every Thanksgiving, and I would have never thought I would actually be in the parade,” she said. “Even when they told us, I was shocked. There’s no better way to end things as a high school dancer. This is it.”
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To honor their hard work, our Mauldin, SC store gifted the Mavettes with custom embroidered Carhartt beanies. While they won't be worn during the parade performance, the beanies are being put to good as the team is out sightseeing between practices. For your own showstopping embroidered pieces, simply reach out to your local Harrison's store or email us at support@harrisonsworkwear.com for out of state orders.
