The Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company

This weekend, the Claremont Colleges attended the National Collegiate Dancesport Championships in Columbus, Ohio and performed a Harry Potter themed Standard Medley to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. The results of their 1600+ hours of intense rehearsal and dedication and garnered praise from competitors and spectators alike, and the members of the CCBDC's nationals routine were exuberant when their 1st place victory was announced.

"This has been the longest week ever," commented Ben Jencks (Harvey Mudd '09), "but it was definitely worth it." And what a long week it was - CCBDC nationals routine members took early Friday morning flights to make it to the competition in Columbus, and spent two long days individually competing and watching the professionals at the Ohio Star Ball before taking the floor Sunday morning to win their sixth national championship.

Among the individual highlights of the weekend was the 2nd Place finish by Rob Donnelly and Kelly Hewitt in the Open Polka event. Kelly commented that she "was really inspired by my experience with the Dancing with the Claremont Stars Program - the wife of my star dances Polka with her family," and that "all the weeks of training really paid off." And coming off the Lab competition last week, Kelly also wanted to say that "no one Polkas like the CCBDC." And with a 2nd place finish in the nation, who can argue with that?

The Claremont Colleges Ballroom Company also had the joy of competing against some of its rivals on the West Coast for the first time. With UCSD's School of Rock Medley taking second place, there were mutually supportive shouts of "West Coast!" heard around the ballroom as both teams accepted their awards.

In addition to the numerous applications for information about the Claremont Colleges and the Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company from prospective students and dancers alike, many spectators showed interest in the CCBDC's costuming. A first effort by new director Paul Roach, the costumes were entirely produced by the CCBDC company. Starting from undecorated tailsuits and leotards, Paul and members of his company added decoration and ornaments to produce some of the most elegant costumes seen all weekend. "I am so glad that the costumes turned out so perfectly," Paul said, "they did a great job of accenting the stunning dancing of our dancers."

Alumni from the surrounding area also came out to support the CCBDC's competitive side. Carey McDonald, Pomona '07, commented that the routine was "really great," and even took the time to provide some refreshments from his mother, for which the company is extremely grateful. "It covered nearly half our meals!" exclaimed one appreciative team member.

Asked what they were going to do next, the members of the CCBDC nationals routine responded with laughter and broke out into a latin dance number before posing for pictures. "They're a phenomenal group of people," director Paul Roach commented as he watched his students celebrate their national victory, "and I'm really going to miss sharing so much of my life with them."

Costuming Credit: Paul Roach, Lauren Wann (Scripps '10), Jane Wann, Zane Kealey (Harvey Mudd '08), Rebecca Stillwell, Ellyn Brady (Scripps '10), Mercedes Teixido (Pomona) and all the members of the CCBDC who were extra sets of hands.

Music/Choreography Credit: Paul Roach

The CCBDC would like to thank the entire Claremont Colleges community for all their support, both financially and morally, and looks forward to success in future endeavors.