Practice Continues For Lizzy Houska Even After Successful Rebelette Tryouts

Mary-Kate Domino, Rebelette veteran helps Lizzy Houska improve her turns. 

After joining the Ole Miss Student Dance Company, Lizzy Houska, freshman at the University of Mississippi, missed dancing as part of a spirit squad and competing at a national level.

The Ole Miss Rebelettes are a part of the Pride of the South Marching Band. With the marching band the Rebelettes perform at the pregame Grove pep rally, on the sidelines at football games and at halftime. The girls also perform at basketball games and represent the University of Mississippi at parades and charity events.

Every January, the Rebelettes compete at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Nationals competition in Disney World. With the improvement of ending the 15-year drought of unsuccessful trips to nationals this past year, the Rebelettes were determined to do some home cleaning and built a new dance team. On April 13, 2013, Emily Wood, Rebelette coach, the the panel of judges chose 24 girls to make up the 2013-2014 squad, cutting four veteran dancers off of the team.

Because the competitiveness of the squad has risen, Houska's nerves about making the team still have not settled.

"Being a sophomore and newbie on the team is really intimidating. I remember in high school when a new girl would join the team it was always a little awkward because everybody is already in a groove and knows exactly where they fit in on the team," said Houska.

Mary-Kate Domino, freshman Rebelette veteran and sorority sister of Houska, was recruited to help keep Houska's technique on point over the summer in time for summer practices and UDA camp. The girls may have made the team, but the work doesn't stop there.

For more information about the Ole Miss Rebelettes click here.

Click here for the full story