Riverside Dance Team shines with top finishes at regional meet

Riverside High School's dance team posted a strong showing at the NDA Bama Regional on January 11, finishing second in two team divisions and earning two individual first-place finishes for Decatur County competitors. The team placed 2nd out of 4 in Jazz and 2nd out of 5 in Hip Hop, marking a competitive performance against regional programs.

Individual skaters and dancers drew particular attention: Eva Adams and August Keeton each captured first place in their respective individual categories, giving Riverside marquee wins on the results sheet. The outcomes reflect both the athletes' preparation and the coaching behind them, with staff credited for consistent work developing the program.

Coaches McKell Smith and Jessica Potts were singled out for their role in the team's progress. Organizers and supporters noted that the coaches "show up and put in the work to train and mentor our girls day in and day out. We are proud of all these dancers and their hard work," an affirmation posted by ACREASY recognized by the team community. The same post celebrated the squad's effort with a direct sendoff: "Way to represent Riverside!"

For local residents, the results underline Riverside High's commitment to extracurricular arts and athletics. Strong regional finishes help maintain visibility for the school's programs, which can influence student recruitment, booster support and volunteer involvement in rehearsals and travel. Success at events like the NDA Bama Regional also provides tangible recognition for student-athletes balancing academics and after-school training.

The performances carry practical benefits for the dancers themselves: competitive experience against neighboring schools, judged feedback to refine routines, and individual accolades that students can cite in resumes or scholarship applications. For parents and community members, the meet offered a reminder that arts programming requires sustained backing—time, chaperones, costumes and travel budgets all factor into continued participation.

Decatur County's tight-knit school community tends to measure success not just in trophies but in turnout and engagement. The Riverside team's results are likely to encourage more local attendance at future events and reaffirm volunteer networks that keep the program running.

Our two cents? Celebrate the wins and show up when the team performs next—cheering in the stands and helping behind the scenes keeps momentum going for Riverside's dancers and the coaches who mentor them.