On January 10, 2026, Starr’s Mill High School hosted a dance competition for only the second time in school history. The Pantherettes defended their home territory, placing first in both the jazz and pom categories.
“I feel like [performing] on our home turf gives us an advantage,” senior Carina Jimenez said.
McIntosh High School placed second in both jazz and pom.
Starr’s Mill soloist Wells Almand placed seventh out of 15 participants. Lovejoy High School earned the top spot in the hip hop division.
“[The Pantherettes] are very much like a family,” dance head coach Mandy Ridgeway said. “I think that their closeness shows in their performance.”
Starr’s Mill continued their winning streak after previously winning the dance competition at Etowah High School. While competing at Etowah High School, they placed first in both pom and jazz.
“This is going to be our ninth year if we do win [state],” freshman Nataleigh Nagle said.
While the Pantherettes have placed first in every category they have competed in this season, there is always practice to be done as they pursue their ninth-consecutive state championship.
“[At practice], we work on our technique […] and we’ll practice our turns together,” Jimenez said.
Starr’s Mill travels to Mill Creek on January 24 for the next competition. The state championships are held on February 11-12 in Athens.