The Sandburg Eaglettes dance team made history two weeks ago when they broke into the IHSA state finals, winning 11th place in the 3A division. They worked hard all season leading up to this amazing accomplishment.

Though there were some ups and downs within the season, they were able to pull through them all. For this team, making state finals points to a successful season. 

“All of our hard work and dedication to the program and to each other paid off,” Coach Roberson said. This is a testament not only to the coach, but to the girls on the team as well. 

“We’ve had a very hardworking and successful season. We had high moments and low moments but we used the low moments as motivation for ourselves,” Varsity Captain Ava Bernardi said. They never allowed any degree of disappointment to get into the way of their dedication and hard work. 

“I would describe our team as hard working and dedicated. Everyone was willing to put in the effort to be successful,” Haley Richardson said. 

Reaching these amazing heights was not easy for the girls, but they were able to pull through it in many different ways. Not only through just hard work, but also through being able to know what it takes for each of them to be able to succeed as a team.

Richardson said, “Everyone took accountability for themselves to make our dance the best it could be,” including the coaches. “Coach Robes put in so much effort this season to ensure our team’s success,” Richardson added.

“Team culture is what made us so driven and hardworking, preparing outside of practice also had a big effect,” Bernardi said. The team knowing what they wanted and leading with that inside and outside of the studio clearly showed.

Though they were able to receive this huge accomplishment it wasn’t all positive. There was some frustration, especially in the middle of their season. “Not seeing the results we wanted mid season was really difficult. It caused difficult decisions to change,” Coach Roberson said.

“At the beginning of competition season we didn’t know how to react to some of the judges’ comments. We didn’t know if things needed to be changed,” Bernardi said.

They didn’t let these things get in their way. “There were bumps in the road, but they were not real blocks, and I am glad they trusted their coach in making a decision,” said Coach Roberson.

“We stayed resilient and continued to put in the effort,” Richardson added. There were trials and tribulations, but it all served to build their confidence.

Making state finals was a significant accomplishment, and emotions were at an all time high. Bernardi described it as an “exciting feeling” and realized in the moment that their hard work had finally paid off.

Everything they had been working for came back to them. “Without the many hours of practice each week, we couldn’t have made it,” Richardson said.

Making state finals meant something to them, individually. It changed them in many different ways and made this dance season incomparable to any other season for them. “I’m not the same person but not just technique-wise and athleticism — also mindset. My mindset grew. I learned what it meant to be a leader.” Bernardi said. She changed not only physically but mentally, which is something that really set this season apart for her more than others.

“It helped me learn that hard work does pay off,” Richardson said. 

It changed Coach Roberson, too. She said, “I saw that each and every dancer needs to be coached differently, and identifying the needs of each dancer was important to coaching them.”

Being able to make it to state finals isn’t easy and is a team effort, and these girls were able to show their team work with each other to accomplish this. They had to support each other in every single aspect, both inside and outside of the studio. “Team bonding, keeping a good connection really helped within the studio,” Bernardi said.

“Our team supported each other throughout the season through positive feedback and encouragement towards each other,” Richardson said. The team work factor played a major role in their success.

This season for the Sandburg Eaglettes has been one of a kind, and the team will miss it. What Richardson will miss the most is the “Hard work everyone put in. Even if it was 6am at morning practice, everyone was dedicated.”

Bernardi went even bigger, saying she would miss every single thing about the team. “The girls, the coaches, the environment.” She describes being an Eaglette as a “unique experience and something to never forget.”