Seaford Dance Team Competes With Confidence

It’s been a successful season for Seaford High School’s dance team, which earned a pair of second-place finishes at regional competitions. 

The dance team, known as the Vikingettes, originated seven years ago by performing at the pep rally and home basketball games. Now, they also perform at Homecoming, boys lacrosse games and with the marching band in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade. Additionally, the 17 girls competed in Long Island Dance Team Association events at Nassau Community College. 

This past season was their second year on the competitive circuit, attending two events. Their pom routine, which was set to a compilation of music by Pit Bull, earned second place, as did a jazz number to “Hit the Road Jack.” Pom is an upbeat style of dance the incorporates pom poms and tricks. Routines are filled with arm movements and formation changes.  

“We’ve worked really hard as a group to get to the point where we are competitive,” said Coach Samantha Wimmer, in her fifth year leading the team. “This is such as pleasurable group of girls to coach because they want to be better.” 

The Vikingettes practice twice a week after school and also have summer workouts.  

Senior Caroline Martorana, one of the captains and a four-year member of the team, said that they are very tight-knit group and most of the girls have been dancing with private studios since elementary school. Everyone brings talent and ideas to the team. 

“We all want to work hard and we build each other up,” she said. 

Camryn Umhafer, a senior, said the Seaford Scholar trait that best defines the team is humorous. While they are serious about doing well, ultimately the girls remember that the experience is about having fun.  

Camryn, Amelia Curry and Zoie Castellnou plan most of the choreography for their routines at school events, while the team works with professional choreographers for competitions.  

“We’re all very grateful to be with each other,” Camryn said. “We really put in the work and effort to create something that’s much more than a few students going on the basketball court and dancing.”