The poms team capped off a successful season with its end-of-year showcase at the WHS gym on March 7, featuring a special performance from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) poms team.
This special event allowed them to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments with family, friends and supporters and was made even more memorable with the UNC poms team in attendance, giving Windsor dancers a glimpse of collegiate-level performance and inspiration for the future.
A Season of Success
Poms had an outstanding season, demonstrating their skill, dedication and teamwork throughout competitions. Their hard work paid off as they advanced to the finals at the State competition, ultimately securing the fourth-place finish. This achievement reflects the team’s commitment to excellence and the strong leadership of their coaches, like Taylor Clark.
“This season we had more rookies than returners, so that meant teaching them the importance of dedication to this team,” Clark explained. “Our rookies found that through friendships and overall passion for dance that they were able to push through together as a team and accomplish many goals. Our returners were also able to lead by example and motivate others to work together and consistently at practice, outside of practice, and during any competition or event we attended.”
Throughout the season, the team faced tough competition but consistently showcased their talent and passion for dance. Their performances were not only technically strong but also emotionally engaging, earning them recognition from judges and audiences alike.
Making it to the state competition is clearly reserved for the best in the state. The poms team proved it could hold its own against some of the best teams in Colorado. For some athletes, like Keira Roles (09), this was their first ever state competition on the team. Not only was it memorable, but it was also significant for them and the team alike.
“It was such an awesome experience to be able to make state my first year as a freshman because it brought new experiences for me, and it was so cool to be there with my friends as well. It was overall just a great experience,” Roles explained.
A Night to Remember
The final showcase was a chance for the team to perform one last time together and celebrate their accomplishments. The evening featured a variety of routines, highlighting the energy, synchronization and artistry that define Windsor Poms.
“Showcase is where we get to perform all of our routines from this past season. It’s fun getting together and reminiscing over our favorite dances and performing them for friends and family. It’s also important for our seniors to have an everlasting farewell and celebrate their impact on the team,” Clark said. “We also celebrate all our girls at a special banquet where we enjoy each other and the successes of this season.”
Adding to the excitement, the UNC poms team attended as special guests, bringing their collegiate-level expertise and inspiration to the Windsor dancers. Their presence gave the high school athletes a unique opportunity to learn more about dance at the university level and see firsthand what it takes to compete at the collegiate level. For many poms girls, such as Halle Stapleton (09), this was an exciting glimpse into potential future opportunities at the next level.
“It made me want to continue my dancing career to see what I can accomplish in the future,” Stapleton stated. “It gave me an insight into what college dancing would look like, as well as made me realize I truly wanted to do it.”
The showcase was also a time for reflection and appreciation. Seniors on the team had the chance to take the floor for one of their final performances, making the night bittersweet as they wrapped up their time with Windsor poms. For underclassmen, the event served as motivation to continue pushing themselves and striving for success in the upcoming season.
“This season has motivated me because it made me want to become a better dancer,” Roles explained. “Coming in only ever doing hip-hop and then learning new styles has made me more of a well-rounded dancer, and that is something I want to continue to work towards so I can become a better dancer, especially for college.”
Looking Ahead
With a strong season behind them, the WHS poms team is already looking ahead to what’s next, continuing to build on their success and passion for dance. Their strong finish at state and the lessons learned throughout the season have set the stage for continued growth and success.
“Currently, we are preparing for our upcoming 2025-26 tryouts. We offer clinics that allow those dancers who are interested in the team to get a feel for the team’s style and dynamics, plus get insight from the coaches before tryouts … Our returners understand that every year they must try out to demonstrate commitment and overall level of growth,” Clark explained.
As they prepare for next year, the team remains committed to upholding the tradition of excellence that has made poms a competitive force for the high school.
