Music fills the air as the Poway Dance Project (PDP) holds its starting positions. No coach watches from the sidelines, yet the dance team performs from the heart with purpose. 

Having no official coach could have been seen as a setback from anyone else’s perspective, but for PDP, it became motivation. 

As captains, seniors Kezi Thibodeau, Jackie Edwards, and Clara LaForge have stepped up to lead the way. They organize practices, create choreography, and inspire the team while they are on the search for a new coach.

PDP has been without a coach since May. At first, they weren’t able to use their dance room without a coach or certified supervisor, and the team was temporarily blocked from using the space. Instead of giving up, they searched for efficient solutions and had some of the team members’ parents volunteer to be the school representatives during practices.

For the senior captains, leading without an official coach has been both a challenge and a highlight of the season. 

“Some of my favorite memories from this new school year come from planning out each of the routines and practices with the other two captains,” Thibodeau said, “We each get to cooperate and be creative with our ideas.” 

Their teamwork has kept the team organized and has bonded them closer together over the past months. When PDP comes out to perform, and the crowd cheers, their choreography reflects the team’s shared creativity and their dedication to keep improving together, no matter the obstacles. 

Junior Sophie Ward has been in PDP since her freshman year and has looked up to the now senior captains. She said this season has carried a deeper sense of purpose. “The senior captains inspire me to work harder and stay positive because of all the time and effort they are putting into the team, making sure our practices are fun but also having us be able to get things done,” Ward said. 

Without a coach, PDP took it into their own hands to help with the search for a new one. Throughout the process, they went through a couple of rounds of interviews, but still had no luck in finding the right person.

“This challenge has strengthened our teamwork and determination because it has brought us together as a team to achieve our goals together,” LaForge said, “While it hasn’t been easy, our team has developed such a strong work ethic and gotten closer because of it.” 

Now, they’re reaching out again to find new candidates who have experience in high school or college competition dance, leadership, and collaboration skills, as well as a dedication to excellence.