Every year, dozens of girls enter the months-long process of preparing for the Highland Belles tryouts. The competition is intense, and only those who demonstrate skill, precision and dedication earn a place on the team. Becoming a Belle is more than joining a dance squad, it is stepping into a tradition that has shaped the school for over 40 years.
“The week before, you go in during morning practice for the Belles. You learn two dances, one jazz and one pom, then you practice that whole week before trying out with those dances on Saturday,” sophomore and new Belle Claire Qiao said.
The aspiring Belles train for months for the tryouts, but only two dances will determine if they have what it takes to become a part of the team. Both dances highlight different aspects of dance. Jazz is all about smooth, flowing movements while pom focuses on synchronization and high-energy performances. In a few minutes only, dancers have to showcase if they are worthy of a spot on a team built on decades of tradition and excellence.
“It’s three minutes. It’s one time. So I feel like you could be having a really off day or you could be having a really good day. […] So it’s really hard to show your entire capabilities,” Qiao said.
Outside judges are brought in to evaluate and make the final decision for the next season’s team. Each dancer is assessed on a range of skills essential for a successful Belle, including technique, memory, precision, timing and overall performance quality. This thorough evaluation of skills helps ensure that every dancer chosen is ready to continue the legacy of commitment, teamwork and excellence that comes with being a Belle.
“Next year’s team is the largest team in Belle history. We will have 99 [dancers]. I think we just have lots of girls that are ready and lots of girls that have worked really hard to try to be on the team,” Associate Director of the Belles Emily Sanchez said.
The growing size of the team also allows the group to develop diversity. Dancers come from different grades, backgrounds and experience levels, bringing a variety of styles and perspectives to the group.
“Right now we’re practicing so next year we can combine with the current team,” Qiao said, “We practice our skills and we practice standing up the most.”
The new Belles then begin preparation for the next football season, starting early practices each morning before school. At the same time, last year’s Belles shift their focus to the contest season, practicing more advanced routines. This separation allows both groups to work on their specific goals, giving new members time to learn the fundamentals to assure that they are going to be ready to try out the dances for each pep rally. During all of this, experienced dancers push their skills to a higher level, ensuring the team is ready as a whole when the seasons come together.
“Once football season’s over, we moved into contest season and will have to finish out this year with much harder dances,” lieutenant for the 2026-2027 season Louisa LaGere said. “Once that’s done at the very end of February, that’s when we’ll switch gears and start leading the team in the off season.”
LaGere is going to be one of the five Belle lieutenants for the 2026-2027 season. To try out for lieutenants, dancers have to complete at least one season as a Belle and go through an additional audition process.
“The very first week we get back to school in January, tryouts begin,” LaGere said. “The tryout process is composed of dancing, an interview and then a team vote.”
Once the contest season is finished, the new Belles will finally train together, learning routines and building team chemistry and preparing the team for the season ahead.
“It’s really rewarding putting in that much effort and being a part of a lasting tradition at our school,” Qiao said.
