On Saturday morning, January 9, the Jacksonville J’ettes were up and ready to leave for their first competition by 10am.  On the hour and a half bus ride to Edwardsville, the girls were mentally preparing themselves for what awaited them.  

Throughout the school year, the J’ettes have held practices every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday in order to prepare their three competition routines for the upcoming season. For their first competition, the J’ettes were only allowed to bring two routines to compete with.  This was one of the new rules that came along with IDTA.  In previous years, the J’ettes have competed through TDI (Team Dance Illinois).  This year they had to switch to IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) when TDI drop out for the 2016 competition season.  Since the J’ettes have never competed with IDTA before they were unfamiliar with most of the new rules.  This affected them greatly in their “Mad House” hip hop routine when the J’ettes received a three-point penalty when they executed an illegal stunt which consisted of one of the girls being thrown over another.  Unfortunately, three points could mean the difference between first and last place.  The J’ettes received seventh place out of seven teams in the AA Hip Hop category and did not qualify for state in this routine.

For their second routine of the night, the Jacksonville J’ettes competed in the AA Open Kick category with their “Glamorous” kick routine.  The team was more fortunate in this routine receiving second place and a qualification to state.  During the awards ceremony, Emilie Bezler was also honored with the “Rising Star” award.

For their next competition this weekend on Saturday, January 16, the J’ettes will be competing in Clinton, IL.  They will be bringing with them three routines to compete with:  Hip Hop, Kick, and Pom.  The J’ettes hope to receive a better placement with their Hip Hop routine at this competition with their new changes they have made to it.  They are excited to perform their new “Magic” pom routine as well.