The Maple Mountain High School Drill Team, the Ellevés, recently attended two dance/drill team camps. The first camp, entitled "Go For It," was held at East High School in Salt Lake City June 18 - 20; and the second camp, Basic Dance Training (BDT), was held in Park City June 23 - 26.

Eight members of the new MMHS drill team attended the Go For It camp. At this camp, the girls received instruction in jazz, hip hop, lyrical, musical theater and military/kick techniques. On the final day of camp, the Ellevés were awarded the "Sportsmanship" award. This award was given by the camp staff to the team that displayed the best sportsmanship.

There was also a "Go For It Dancer" competition where all of the dancers at the camp perform across the floor dance combinations for the camp staff until they are eliminated. Three Ellevé drill team members were selected to the top eight dancers of the camp -- Aubrey Finch, Edynn Shaw and Makayla Wilson. They then had to learn a dance combination on the spot and then perform it for the camp staff. Wilson was selected as one of the top three dancers of the camp. She was awarded a Go For It hoodie.

The entire team attended the Basic Dance Training Camp. The camp is a military inspired boot camp. The Ellevés learned precision style routines and also had classes in hip-hop and lyrical jazz. They were also trained in military/kick technique, turns and across the floor jazz technique. The Ellevés received an "Espirit de Corp" award for their performance and teamwork during the camp.

The camp was instructed by some of Utah's top drill team coaches and choreographers. There were a total of 11 teams in attendance at this camp.

Teams are invited to perform home routines as part of BDT's Performance Night. The Ellevés performed their hip hop routine, which was choreographed by Jen Jacobs. After the teams all perform, each team gets to vote for their favorite. The MMHS Ellevés received the most votes and were awarded the Performance Night Champions trophy! The team was so excited! It was their first trophy ever and one of the first for the school! The Ellevés also won an award for having the best technique in the jazz technique classes.

Team members had the opportunity to participate in some drill downs. Halie Bingham, Kimber Creer and Savannah Martin were three of the top 25 girls in the final drill down held on the final day of camp. They were each awarded a certificate.

Halie Bingham, Krizia Brooks, Kourtney Finch, Savannah Martin and Edynn Shaw were selected to represent Maple Mountain Ellevés in the Technically Outstanding Performers Corps contest. The five girls were observed throughout camp by the camp staff and then the top 30 dancers were selected on the final day of camp. Brooks and Martin were selected to the top 30. They were taught a dance combination and had to perform it on the spot for the camp staff.

This was the first time the members of the Ellevés had attended a BDT Drill Team Camp and they did extremely well. Especially for their first year as a team!

Ellevé members include: Halie Bingham, President/Head Drill Mistress; Savannah Martin, Drill Mistress; Kourtney Finch and Edynn Shaw, Assistant Drill Mistresses; Mikel Jackson, Secretary; Alli Monroe, Historian; MaKenzie Beardall, Kylie Bingham, Hailey Bishop, Kaitlynn Blood, Krizia Brooks, Kimber Creer, Aubrey Finch, Amy Jacobson, Sarah Melling, Katie Muirbrook, Kalli Olsen, Alexus Poulsen, Jada Poulsen, Danielle Smith and Makayla Wilson. They are coached by Molly M. Brenchley.