Choctawhatchee High School Indianettes Dance Team added another trophy to their collection, winning the 2025 Universal Dance Association (UDA) Florida Championships in the Small Varsity Pom Division.

• The victory marks a return to form for the team in this division, where they last claimed the title in 2020. 

The 12-member squad, led by Coach Dee Dee Shank, has maintained their competitive edge with back-to-back state championships in the Small Varsity Game Day Division in 2023 and 2024.

At a February 10 school board meeting, Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the team’s dedication. “It’s about the summertime. It’s about the heat. It’s about the sweat, the tears, the struggle. It’s about when things didn’t go right, you didn’t quit,” Chambers said.

Athletic Director Andy Thigpen highlighted the team’s commitment beyond competition. “They are probably the most engaged, practiced individuals, hardest workers that are probably in the school. The hours they put in are unbelievable,” Thigpen said.

• The championship team includes Vladilynn Carbonel, Lucy Carroll, Ann Elise England, Ella Evans, Katherine Evans, Addison Millhouse, Khameela Layco-Mitchell, Nevaeh O’Neal, Denise Slaton, Alyssa Vinson, and Kassidy Williams.

Coach Shank noted that with only two seniors on the current roster, the future looks promising. “It is a really special group of girls. There are only two seniors in this group. It’s very promising for the next year and years to come,” she said.