Stephanie Baranczyk barancsm@uwec.edu

Years on Team: I was on the Dance Team from 2000-2002 and graduated in 2002.

Where I am Now: I remember placing 1st and 2nd at Nationals my senior year. Also, I remember learning a kick routine to "The Dance" and performing it at Nationals a few weeks later. It was crazy!

Memories: I am currently at UW-Eau Claire but will be graduating in Dec 2007 with a degree in Business Management. I plan to manage an assisted living program for individuals with cognitive disabilities.

My advice would be to smile and enjoy every moment of it while it lasts!

 

Years on Team: I was on the team for 4 years 2001-2005 and graduated in 2005.

Where I am Now: I am now attending St. Norbert College majoring in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. I am also coach/choreographer of the Ashwaubenon Dance Team, and I teach dance classes at Northern Dance Academy.

Memories: I have so many memories but the ones that stick out are 1: Asking Powers if she called our initial leap (in "The Dance" 01-02 Kick) because we looked like an upside down T... not thinking that it was our first leap in the dance. 2: At nationals my freshman year right after dancing to "The Dance" knowing that it was the last time our team would ever dance together. 3: Taking 1st AND 2nd at nationals my freshman year in thg Grand Championship- it totally surpassed our initial goal of just qualifing for state. 4: My senior year in general, being able to work side by side with Ms. Hemling and Powers, I gained A LOT of respect for both of them and how much work they put into the team. 5: Just having 17-24 best friends/ sisters around you all the time and spending every second of every day together for 11 months of the year- not many teams are as close as Pulaski is.

Advice to Future Dancers/ Favorite Quote: The one piece of advice I would give any dance team member is my all time favorite quote and now the story that goes along with it that I found working for NDA during the summer of 2005: "Unseen and soon forgotten, the journey is in the art."

"When choosing the path to follow, I selected the road heading West. It began in the Forest of Childhood, and ceased at the City of Success. My bag was packed full of knowledge, but also some fears and some weights. My most precious cargo was a vision of entering the city's bright gates. I reached an impassable river, and feared that my dream had been lost. But I found a sharp rock, cut down a tree, and created a bridge, which I crossed. It started to rain, and I was so cold, I shivered and started to doubt. But I made an umbrella out of some leaves and kept all the cold water out. The journey took longer than I had planned; I had no food left in my dish. Rather than starve before reaching my dream, I taught myself how to fish. I grew awfully tired as I walked on and on, and I thought of the weights in my pack. I tossed them aside, and I sped up again; fear was all that was holding me back. I could see the City of Success, just beyond a small grove of trees. At last, I thought, I have reached my goal! The whole world will now envy me! I arrived at the city, but the gate was locked. The man at the door frowned and hissed, "You have wasted your time. I cannot let you in. Your name is not on my list." I cried and I screamed and I kicked and I shook; I felt that my life had just ceased. So for the first time ever, I turned my head, and for once in my life faced East. I saw all the things I had done on my way, and the obstacles I'd overcome. I couldn't enter the city, but that didn't mean I hadn't won. I had taught myself how to ford rivers, and how to stay dry in the rain. I had learned how to keep my heart open, even if sometimes it lets in some pain. I learned, facing backwards, that life meant more than just survival. My success was in my journey, not in my arrival!"

Be very proud that you are apart of the legacy of the Pulaski Dance Team, no matter if you win or lose, it's the experience that makes you a better person!
*Michelle* 

 

Tavie Zepnick : zepntm29@uwgb.edu

On team: 2001-2005

Graduated: 2005

Memories: Freshman year – winning nationals (1 st and 2 nd place!)

Senior year was outstanding.... so many memories... I actually felt like a part of the team... and of course NATIONALS!

Today: Attending UWGB for accounting and business

Advice: No matter how bad of a day you had, go out on the floor and give it your all. If you just have fun, everything else will come with it. And finally, don't miss a single dance team moment, because as soon as you're done with high school, you're going to wish you had just one more moment of "Pulaski Dance Team".

Some people come into your life and quickly go, others stay for a while and leave a footprint on your heart, and you are never ever the same.

Every girl that was with me on the team has impacted me in one way or the other and I could never thank you enough for that. Some of the best times of my life were spent with you guys, especially my senior year. I love you!

click on pics to enlarge

Erika Hoehne - eureka0325@yahoo.com

• I graduated in 2004 and I was on the pulaski dance team my junior and senior year
• Some memories that I have of the dance team was all the funny falls...I was probably one of the worst but I'll never forget katie falling while moving to a different formation...luv ya katie!. And of course I will never forget looking into the crowd at nationals when we performed and nationals. Miss you girls!!
• Today I am attending NWTC for gen ed and am transfering to santa monica Califorina to study dance.
• Wow there is so much advice to give but the most important that I would say is definetly enjoy the moments bc ladies you will br graduating and moving on. You miss dance soooooo much ao take advantage now!!!
• Good Luck with your season ladies and dance with your hearts!...Miss you!

Katie Gerczak- kgerc867@uwsp.edu

• Graduated in 2004, I was on the team for 4 years 2000-2004
• I am attending UW Stevens Point for Family Life Education
• Most Memorable Moment(s)
  • Where to start? First one is getting that phone call finding out I had made the Pulaski Dance Team, my freshman year.
  • My sophomore year Nationals Powers jumping up on the stage after we took FIRST!!!
  • Senior year Nationals was unforgettable!!
• Advice- No regrets in life, everything happens for a reason.   Keep you head up high and never stop smiling
• I LOVE YOU GIRLS

Erin McGillivray - mcgi0154@umn.edu - 920-737-9143

• PHS class: 2004
• fave memory:  Tough one, my whole senior year could count as one big memory!  But I'll go with Nationals of senior year...it was the perfect ending to a perfect season and I will always remember that feeling!
• college: University of Minnesota
• other dance exp.:  none right now :(  trying to find something!
• other:  I'll see everyone at State and Nationals :D
   

Megan Melendy - melnd23@aol.com

• I started dancing on the team my sophmore year (total of 3 years on the team) from 2002 - 2004
• Graduated from PHS in 2004
• Dancing for me was so much fun. I can't think of one time or moment that was my favorite because there was so many! I loved competeing, as well as hanging out with the team. the dance team was so great, and I am so glad I tryed-out. I deffinitly have lots of memories that I will never forget!
• Opened a clothing and accessories store named "Besselli". The store is located on Broadway in downtown Green Bay.
• If I could give advice to this dance team and up coming teams I would just like to say, "have fun and enjoy the moment. As long as you are having a good time, everything will fall in to place!"

Kelly Jean Collins

• Dance on the Team for 2 years, my junior and senior years - 2003 - 2004
• Graduated from PHS in 2004
• Future plans: UWMilwaukee (no major yet)
• 1 sister, 15; 1 brother, 19
• favorite food: spaghetti or STEAK!
• favorite song: walking in memphis by lonestar
• best memory of dance: getting 1st at nationals in 2003 when i thought we wouldn't even make it (Pom); getting 1st at nationals in Kick when i thought we wouldn't make it
• Final note: Good luck to everyone in the future! Just always be positive, even when you're havnig a bad day, and it's not about winning!! it's all about fun! Winning's just a benefit ;-)

Lindsey Gorr - linz_freeze@yahoo.com

• I was on the team my sophomore through senior year, 1999-2002.
• I graduated in 2002.
• I was living in North Carolina for a while, but I'm home now.  Thank God!
• I'm still working at the Lullabye Shop, but I love it.
• I have too many memories from the team to just pick one.  Try-outs my first year were crazy.  I can't believe I made the team!!  All the food and sleep-overs, who can forget those.  Also, my senior year was the hardest for me, no need for details, but that year at camp was amazing.  Everyone made me feel "at home". If it wasn't for those girls and Mrs. Powers, I don't know if I would have made it through.   My favorite memory would have to be my last year on the team at Nationals, being awarded 1st and 2nd place in the Grand Championship, what could be better?
• One piece of advice I could give: No matter what happens in your life outside of dance, you should always keep dancing.  Believe me...it makes things a lot easier to have 15 of your closest friends around.
• Keep smiling girls, I'll be watching!!!

Erica Leanna - leanna017@yahoo.com

• Graduated in 2004
• Dance for the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/dance_team/index.html
  and attends Minneapolis Technical College for Media Production.
• Memorable Moment : I would definitly have to say Nationals my Soph. and Senior year! I have never felt that proud to be part of a team. I miss you guys :)
• Advice : Always Smile! Everything happens for a reason! Good luck this year and remember...Just have fun! See you at all the competitions.

Tiffany Engels - Phone number : 920-680-3009

• I was on the squad for 3 years (sophomore through senior year)
• I graduated in 2004
• I am attending UW-GB. I am the coach of the Rhythm and Motion Dance & Drill Team and also dance for the Green Bay Blizzards http://greenbayblizzard.com/team/dance/ .
• My favorite dance memory would be my first year when we went from 4th place at our first competition to National Grand Champions!
• Another memorable dance moment I won't forget is the 105 degree Eau Claire dance camp!
• I loved the dance team parties and all of the food!
• Dancing was so much fun all three years but I'll never forget winning everything down at nationals, (2004) what a great way to end such a perfect season and my senior year.  I'll never forget that team, "We belong" :)
• What I loved about the dance team is that you get so close to everyone, just like you are all sisters. And it's not like every other sport, because you get to spend all year with the same girls, no other team can ever compare to what Pulaski Dance team has.
• If I could tell the dance team something it would be to just take everything in and make the best out of everything, because senior year comes fast and you'll never get that experience again. Just have fun, and winning will come with it :-) Good luck to all of you, I love you and miss you.
   

Kelly McCormick - kellymccormick@hotmail.com

• PHS Class of 2003
• Years dancing: I was on the dance team my sophomore and junior years, and graduated in 2003.
• Memories: COACH POWERS!  She was the best coach ever and the best science teacher. It was because of her that I studied biology in college. J   I remember just spending my school nights practicing with the girls in the cafeteria and having to move the lunch tables to the side every night.  Nationals was a great experience and bringing home the first place trophy.
• What am I doing today: I graduated from UW-GB in 2008 with my Bachelors in Science.  I then got a job in the pharmaceutical industry working and living in Madison, Wi. I  earned my MBA in 2010 and moved to Milwaukee.  I now work on the Institutional Review Board for Aurora Healthcare making sure all of our clinical trials are ethical and follow local and federal laws.
• Advice to current dance team members: Enjoy every minute of it! Your time with your team mates will truly become your favorite memory of high school.  Just like the young girls of Pulaski look up to the girls on the dance team, us alumni also look at you and are proud of all you have accomplished and how you represent the school and community.

Sarah Delvaux - SarahDelvaux@yahoo.com

• PHS Class of 2003
• I was on the dance team my sophomore through senior year
• I have so many memories from being on the dance team, I don't think I could just pick one. The two that pop right into my mind are Amy's get together at her house (remember that Kelly?) and when we wen to Nationals my Junior year. We danced to the the song "The Dance" and when we all got off the stage we all started crying, because we all knew that there would never be another moment like that. We were all so close and shared this gift of dance, it was a priceless moment.
• I graduated from NWTC in Small Business
• I am recently opening a Dance studio in Pulaski called - Sarah's Dance Academy. I opened January 17, 2005. I am very excited.
• If I could give any of the new dancers some advice, I would have to say it goes by so fast - Enjoy every moment! Keep Dancing!