GHS Stowaways crowned national champions

The Granbury High School Stowaways drill and dance team proved that they were born to dance when they were crowned national champions during the MA Dance Nationals this past weekend.

Rising bright and early on March 25, the Stowaways team — consisting of 26 dancers and GHS cheer captain Jaxon Robinson as “Elvis,” — traveled to The University of Texas at Arlington for a full day of performances.

“Our first dance was at 8:10, the next one was at nine, and then the next dance after that was at three, and then we finished them off every hour until about seven o'clock,” said GHS Stowaways Director Shelby Sargent. “But the awards for the competition didn't start until like midnight that night. We got out of there about 2:30 in the morning, so it was a long day.”

But the hard work and long hours were worth it for the Stowaways as they were crowned the national champions in the Large Classic Division, winning first place in every team and officer category.

“The girls, plus Jaxon, performed at the highest level that I've ever seen them compete at, and I'm so proud of them; they did fantastic,” Sargent said. “They have worked so hard this entire year to get to this point. They wanted it, so every day they would come into practice, and they would work hard. They pushed through and they applied all the changes and critiques and everything that myself, and coach Trammell, my assistant, would give them. It all boiled down to their work ethic, which was outstanding.”

Sargent said the Stowaways have not received a bid for nationals since 2018, when the team came home as national champions from the American Dance/Drill Team (ADTS) competition.

“They originally did not know that we were going and so I finally told them in October,” she said. “I was like ‘Listen y'all if we're going to nationals, we're going to win,’ like that is my mentality, and so they knew that they were able to go and have this opportunity and so they have just worked their tails off.”

She said seeing the joy and excitement on her team’s face was “next level,” — especially since this was her first time to celebrate a Stowaways national championship win since she became their director in 2019.

“It’s a surreal moment for me too, because I’ve put in long hours with them, so we’ve done it together,” Sargent said. “In my heart, they were always champions, but having that title, they deserve it.”