Dancers engage in new team at try outs

30 students tried out for a new dance team Sept. 24 at Northridge Campus.

The dance team, Engage, will be led by Mohncesha Washington, who will be leading a squad for the first time in her career.

"I've taught dance in schools," said Washington. "But I haven't had an actual team, so I'm very excited about that."

Out of the 30 girls who tried out for the team, 12 made the cut. Those who did not make the team were able to remain a part of the program to help out the team in other ways.

Some girls joined the Hype Team which will focus on pumping up the crowd and getting them excited about the team during a performance. Other girls joined the promo team.

Engage will not be entering in any competitions this year, according to Washington.

"In the future we hope to grow stronger in numbers so that in the future we will be able to compete," said Washington. "My goal for this year is to get our name out there and let people know that Engage does exist."

The team will undoubtedly face a lot of adversity this year because it is the first year of the program, and Washington said that the toughest challenge she will face this year is scheduling.

"[Team members] are students first and we will have to work around their class schedule and the performances conflicting with that," Washington said.