The Peters Township Dance Team (PTDT) had a season worth remembering. They met obstacles, proved their strength as well as kept going despite injuries and an ever changing season. After strong performances at regional competitions, PTDT ended their 2025 season by earning second place at the National Dance Team Competition in Orlando, Florida. This finish showed their commitment and hard work to the sport. One of the biggest challenges this year was the team’s changing roster. Of the 17 dancers, only seven were returning members, meaning the majority of the team was made up of newcomers. A change like this could have been difficult for any group, but PTDT took on the challenge, relying on strong leadership and a deep sense of unity.
“Getting used to so many new members was hard,” said senior captain Sami Perich. “But it also brought new energy. We taught the new dancers what PTDT is all about.”
Fellow senior captain Eva Cibrone agreed, “It was so important for us to build a strong team culture right away. The returning members really took the time to get to know the new girls and help them understand what this team stands for.”
Beyond forming new connections, the team also had to push through injuries. Many girls on the team started the season injured, or obtained an injury during the season. Regardless, the team pushed through to the end.
Through every challenge, PTDT’s coaching staff, led by Dominique Schuster and Barbara Deleire, played a key role in keeping the team motivated.
“Our coaches were incredible,” said senior Ashlyn Morgan. “They pushed us to be our best but also reminded us to keep going when practices got tough. They were with us every step of the way.”
Beyond the physical demands of dance, mental strength was just as crucial. Senior Eva Cibrone, one of three of the first dancers in PTDT history to medal at nationals all four years of high school, helped to keep the younger dancers motivated.
“I always told them to breathe and take it one step at a time. There are going to be hard moments, but we have to remind ourselves why we show up everyday,” said Cibrone.
When PTDT arrived in Orlando, they faced intense competition against more than a dozen other teams in the DII Large Varsity Hip-Hop division. But despite the pressure, they executed their routines with precision and passion, earning a well-deserved second-place finish.
“It feels unreal,” Perich said, reflecting on the season. “We worked so hard for this. Seeing it all come together as a team was incredibly rewarding regardless of placement.”
Cibrone put the team’s accomplishments into perspective by explaining their tight knit bond.
“We’ve always said that PTDT is more than just a team,” she shared. “It’s a family, and I’m so proud to have been a part of it throughout high school.”
With five seniors— Bell, Cibrone, Morgan, Perich, and Zagorski —graduating this year, PTDT will be saying goodbye to some of its most experienced dancers. However, their leadership has left a lasting mark on the team, shaping the younger members who will carry on their legacy.
