“It’s like a family’
United Alma dancers finish runner-up, focus attention on upcoming national dance meet
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Lilah Battles couldn’t imagine being involved without Alma’s dance program. It’s in her DNA.
“It’s like a family,” she said. “Most of them (dance teammates) have never danced in their life. Most of us haven’t come from a studio background. They (Alma dance coaches Sara Murrah and Ashlyn Hill) have taught these kids so much in such a short amount of time and it creates such a huge family. We spend so much time together but we never get tired of each other.”
Alma finished as the overall 5A state runner-up at the state meet, which includes a remarkable 17-year run where the Airedales have finished in the top 3 at the state dance championships.
Over the last four years, Alma’s won two overall state titles, finished runner-up, and also third overall.
Alma was first in both Pom and Hip Hop routines and second in Jazz last week, and even outscored a private school that moved down from 6A thanks to the Arkansas Activities Association Competitive Equity Factor rule.
The overall runner-up finish didn’t upset sophomore Hadleigh Miller, one of 15 underclassmen, including 10 sophomores.
“I was proud of it; I wasn’t that upset about it because I knew I did my best,” Miller said. “I knew we all did our best.”
Battles is one of 13 senior dancers. Alma’s diverse squad included a first-ever four-year member Taryn Greer. Other seniors include Vivian Beneux, Ethan Beneux, Ethan Burrough, Ashton Chanhnouvong, Cash Farris, Kenadie Farris, Lexi Hathcock, Haylei Moses, Daimya Parker, Kennedy Sullivan, and Leah Tally comprise the other seniors.
“I think I’ve learned that you can push yourself much further than you think you can,” added Battles. “It’s OK to step back, and then you can just evaluate what you’re doing and try it again, and most times that’s going to work.”
“I feel like Alma has a really good reputation and we do well in a lot of sports,” Miller said. “It’s exciting to be a part of that It’s nice to go somewhere and feel like you have a chance.”
Alma is now focusing on the Nationals, which are set for early 2025.
“This year they’re offering D-2, which they just started last year for cheer,” Battles said. “That means that all the schools we’ve been competing against from Omaha and Miami, and these huge cities, will be D-1. Now we’re no longer going up against these teams that will be in the D-1 category. We’re hoping to get to finals make it into the Top 10 and place at nationals.”
Alma’s 27-member squad includes football, baseball, tennis, volleyball, and basketball players, among others.
It’s the unique blend of student-athletes that makes the program so unequaled.
“It shows how diverse Alma is,” Battles said. “You can go out there and do great at things like football and basketball, and even our band and choir are great. To come out here and dance as a smaller school that’s not as well-known as some of the others and winning state is just crazy.”
“It comes with a lot of passion,” Miller said. “You have to be excited about what you do, to do as much as we do. It’s a lot of work, but you have to love it.”
That means practicing at 7:30 a.m. in the summer and 6 a.m. during school. Miller credits Murray and Hill for much of the program’s success.
“I think they care the most,” Miller said. “Not just because it’s their job, but because it’s something they love to do and they grew up loving it. It’s kind of a way for them to do it (experience it) without doing it.”
Along with Miller, Alma’s strong sophomore class includes Grace Gagby, Lily Fauncette, Hannah Garibay, Bella Huff, Dylan Jackson, Channing Likens, Chase Parker, Ellie Reeves, and Scarlett Stewart.
The juniors include Lydiah Clifford, Brenna Morris, Melanie Pepper, Jackson Rust, and Cambrie Trantham.