Freshman phenom

Ava McGovern

Avery Campbell, freshman, poses for a photo in her varsity pommie merch.

Her heart is pounding as she walks to the center of the floor. She finds her spot and strikes her starting pose as she waits for the music to start. Lights are flashing, cameras are rolling and students are cheering. As the song queues, she takes a deep breath and begins to dance. 

Each year, around 45 girls try out for the Kirkwood Pommies dance team, and out of those 45, only 16 girls make varsity.  Avery Campbell, freshman, made the varsity dance team as a freshman, and dedicated the majority of her first year at KHS to being a part of the team. As one of only three freshmen that made the varsity team, Campbell said her first year on pommies was a challenge. 

“The head coach didn’t give any numbers as to how many girls she was letting on the team, and never told us if she was allowing freshmen on varsity or not,” Campbell said. “When I found out that I made the [varsity] team [along with Carly Smith and Addie Campbell] I was so relieved.” 

Campbell said she felt a lot of pressure as a freshman on varsity, but she was not alone. Her cousin, Carly Smith, freshman, who she has been dancing with for 10 years also made the varsity team. 

“It was helpful having each other on the team,” Smith said. “When we were struggling, nervous, or scared, we were going through it together so we could talk to each other, and we really bonded through it.”

Avery said making it onto the pommies team was a huge step because dancing on a high school team was different from the studio dance at Lucille Rapp she was used to. While the adjustment was difficult, Avery had her sister, Addie Campbell, senior, who was also on varsity, and was able to help guide her through her first year on the team. 

“It was definitely an adjustment for Avery because [pommies] is so different [from] regular dance,” Addie said. “We practiced throughout the summer and went to [pommies] camp, which really helped Avery and the other girls bond with the upperclassmen. While it was a big switch they all handled it super well.”

Avery said that her first year was not easy, but it was worth it. She powered through the season and said she has what it takes to be on varsity for her sophomore year as well, along with Smith.

“It was so rewarding getting to dance with my friends and especially with my sister since it was her last year in high school,” Avery said. “It was definitely a challenge, but I learned so much and I can’t wait for next year.”