By: DeLaney Fisher @DeLaney_Fisher [Co-Executive Newspaper Editor]

Walking out onto the floor, getting in position, and hearing the music start playing gives dancers a huge rush. They’ve practiced in hot, humid gyms, preparing for this very moment.

Ceci Pitstick, sophomore, has been dancing  for eleven years, and has been on Marion Varsity Poms for two years. Pitstick started out in gymnastics, but didn’t really like it. “My mom suggested I try dance”, Pitstick said.

Up until recently, Pitstick and her fellow dance team members have had to practice in similar situations. “We practiced at Vernon most of the time”, Pitstick stated. The Vernon Middle School gym has geothermal heating and cooling; this means that the gym remains at a constant temperature all year round, and is often cooler than the high school’s gym. However, due to the high heat and humidity, the Vernon gym has become quite popular. “A lot of other sports teams have started using the gym too”, Pitstick said.

Due to the influx of teams needing the gym, the dance team has began using other places to practice. “We’ve been practicing in the Dance Academy of Cedar Rapids’ studio” Pitstick explained, “I like that we will be practicing in a studio because it has air conditioning!”

Besides air conditioning, there are many other benefits to the practice location. “The studio is bigger than the gym, so there will be a lot more room for girls”, Pitstick explained. The extra room will be a huge perk especially because of the the growth of the team. “There are fourteen girls this year”, commented Pitstick. Last year there were only eight dancers. Most of the new members are freshman.  Pitstick is also looking forward to the nice floors and mirrors of the studio.

Dancing is a big part of Pitstick’s life, and is changing for the better. The new practice space has a lot of perks and Pitstick is excited for the change!