The Starr’s Mill Pantherette dance team will soon have a new dance studio at school to call their own. Currently, the team practices in the Starr’s Mill cafeteria.

“We can have our own place to practice,” dance team coach Patt Coleman said. “It will have a floor that’s similar to what we actually perform on.”

Coleman noticed an unused room under the gym earlier this season and knew it could be perfect for the reigning state champions. After getting permission from athletic director Shane Ratliff and Principal Allen Leonard, the dance booster club has spent time cleaning and painting the facility. They are now funding the installation of new dance flooring. 

“[The girls] are well deserving,” Coleman said. “They’re some of the hardest working athletes I’ve ever seen.”

The team has won at many competitions this season, including a clean sweep at the Mill Creek Invitational and best choreography for jazz at the Heritage 5 Star Invitational. The team has not finished lower than second in any competition this season.

In addition to dance team rehearsal, the facility will also be used for the dance class elective. The studio is expected to be completed by next school year.