The sun glimmers over Disney Springs as the Coppell Lariettes step onto the stage, their hearts pounding as months of practice led to this 15-minute performance.

Families, tourists and friends gather nearby, drawn in by the music and the team’s upbeat, radiant energy.

“We really did not know what we were getting into,” senior Finley Watchman said. “The seats were filled, and lots of people stopped by the street to watch us. It was probably the biggest crowd any of us had danced in front of.”

From Feb. 26-March 2, the Lariettes travelled to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. to perform a routine at Disney Springs.

The routine combined familiar dances from pep rallies with new choreography to create a lively sequence.

“It was a lot of dancing and it was long, but really good,” Watchman said.

Despite their preparation, performing in front of such a large audience came with anxiety.

“It was nerve-racking just because we did not expect that many people to be watching,” junior Lauren Tang said. “It was more than we thought it would be. But, seeing people stop to watch us made me proud of our team and what we have accomplished together.”

The Lariettes encouraged each other prior to heading onto the stage. As opposed to typical dance competitions that usually have two to three minute routines, their 15-minute medley required sustained energy.

“It was a really adrenaline-filled experience, but by the end, we were all really proud as a team and as a whole,” Watchman said. “It was one of our best performances.”

The trip served as a catalyst for the dancers to grow closer as a team.

“Watching the girls perform at Disney Springs and seeing their excitement and pride together was incredible,” said chaperone Nayana Menon, sister of Lariette Namrata Menon. “For many of the seniors, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

The shared experiences and bonding outside of practice strengthened the Lariettes’ overall dynamic while bridging gaps in the group.

“Some of the girls weren’t familiar with others, but throughout the trip, they got to know each other, went on rides together,” Menon said. “It turned into a huge bonding experience because they all had to stick together.”

Beyond the routine, the Lariettes had time to enjoy Disney World together, creating lasting memories through special moments.

“We had this private little set-up where we watched the fireworks,” Tang said. “It was a fun bonding moment to just soak everything in before we all left.”

As the Lariettes return from their Disney performance, they now turn their focus to preparing for their upcoming spring show, which will be their final performance of the season.

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