This year, the Tigerettes have taken on 12 dancers to represent spirit at Hastings High. Each grade is exhibited by one or more students. One specific sophomore and hip hop dancer, Johnny Nguyen, is making history. To sponsor Meagan Stoner’s knowledge, Nguyen is the first ever male dance team member. However, Stoner already knew of Nguyen’s talents from the countless times he had shown her his dances and asked him to try out.
“I actually recruited him,” Stoner said, “When he helped out for the Father and Daughter dance I was like, ‘I don’t see why a guy can’t be on the team’,”
Tigerette co-captain Justise Propp was very excited to see Nguyen at tryouts.
“I knew that Johnny was an extremely exceptional dancer so I couldn’t wait to see if he would be spending the year as a Tigerette,” Propp said.
Nguyen is also eager to be on the team.
“I love to dance and the dance coach encouraged me to tryout, so I did,” Nguyen said.
Although there is a male on the Tigerettes, not much has changed in terms of practice.
“Our practices are still full of sarcasm and fun dances, but we try to limit our amount of girl talk to try not to run Johnny away,” Propp said.
“Johnny is allowed to show up when we’re working on dances he’s involved in, but so far he’s been showing up a lot more than that and I think that’s good for the team; to have him around even if he’s not dancing,” Stoner said.
The team has responded well to Nguyen’s installment and he has received support from all over.
“Katie Blackwell, a choreographer, and Meagan Stoner supported me the whole time and right now my friends and family are excited for me,” Nguyen said.
In the eyes of the team, there is one thing that still needs to change.
“The thing that needs to change is people need to stop making comments like, he’s on the team he needs to be doing everything, “
“I think accommodating the fact that he’s a guy and he just wants to do hip hop and be amazing at it is awesome,” Stoner said.
Propp also says the change lies within breaking stereotypical gender roles.
“A lot of people know how talented Johnny is, but there are still a few people that think dancing is strictly a female sport. If anything were to change it would be that more people are accepting of both genders being able to enjoy the creativity and art of dance,” Propp said.
Stoner says the view of the students is not as important to her as how the team feels.
“I know this is right for the team. I’m more looking out for them to have a good experience. I have already seen how the team has become kind of sisters to him and being on Tigerettes has made him really excited,” Stoner said.
“I think we are seen as a stronger dance group that can bring more to the table now that we have our special addition!,” Propp said.
Nguyen has seen this reaction from the student body as well, but is more focused on his dancing.
“People have reacted to me making the team, I am the first male in history to join the dance team at HHS, but this is big for my future, it’s something I love to do.” Nguyen said.
This a new direction for the Hastings High Tigerettes and the team is looking forward to this next school year and the spirit they can bring with their new addition.
