Evergreen poms keep tradition alive with sportsmanship and spirit
EVERGREEN, Colo. — Before every performance, the Evergreen High School (EHS) pom team stands in a circle with arms linked and sings a song. It’s the same song that has inspired team members for generations – Assistant Coach Jesse Florquist remembers it well from her tenure as a pom from 1998 to 2002. Beginning in a whisper, the team repeats the song’s affirmations until they reach a crescendo, voices raised to shouting by the end.
“It invokes trust in themselves and the dancers by their side,” says Head Coach Amy Updike. “Time and time again, it’s proven to ease pre-performance jitters and put a smile on everyone’s face, as well as bring heartfelt tears.”
The pom team is one of the longest-running programs at EHS with an impressive track record of success that includes nine state titles in the 4A division and more than a dozen state first-runner-up trophies. This past season, the team won the Jeffco League Competition for the third consecutive year and has been recognized many times in the top 10 at the Universal Dance Association Nationals and top 12 at the National Dance Alliance Nationals. The team’s season runs from May through April, with the girls practicing every week day and also on Saturdays during competition season.
“Being a pom has always been a big commitment, but Evergreen has made a name for itself within the dance world,” notes Updike. “The state of Colorado [is] one of the most intensely competitive high school dance states. That means sometimes what we’re celebrating isn’t a first place – it’s being better than last year, performing a routine to the absolute best of our ability, a dancer nailing a skill she’s been working on for months, improving our scores between competitions, or even just getting through a long Saturday practice together. You can’t get through an 11-month season without finding the little moments that make you remember why you do this.”
Although this will be Updike’s first season leading the EHS poms, she points out that all of the coaches since 2018 have been alumni or parents of alumni in the program. Many team members have dreamed of being a pom since they were little, and several parents have shared their own experiences of their own time on the team. “It’s safe to say this program is so much more than a dance team for so many people,” says Updike. “[We all] nurture this program with the intention of continuing to give young dancers a safe space to grow and learn within.”
This season, the poms will also be guided by Team Captains Lily Goostree and Mallory Mihalik, both seniors at EHS in their fourth year on the team. Updike is quick to praise their hard work, dedication and leadership through the years, saying that “both ensure friendships among the team and truly define what it means to be a team leader.”
While all teams have goals to win competitions, Updike says the poms are also focused on increasing their community engagement this year and continuing to represent Evergreen with humble pride. Nurturing a team that works well together and genuinely cares for every member, however, is always the primary goal.
“Building trust in one another is the first step to being able to achieve higher goals,” Updike emphasizes. To that end, the EHS pom team is already winning. At this year’s Pom Camp in Fort Collins, Evergreen was awarded the NDA Spirit Award 2023 for its excellent sportsmanship and spirit. The voting question asked of participating teams is telling: “If you could be on a different team here at camp, which team would you choose?”
“The girls didn’t need further proof of their wonderful leadership skills and kindness; they’d already proven that to themselves many times,” concludes Updike. “But it was an outstanding reminder of how strong the team is. We cannot wait to see what this season has in store!”
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