Before wrapping up the 2025–2026 season, theBrave Cadettes dance team held tryouts to select members for the upcoming 2026–2027 team. Tryouts took place March 3–5 at Star Valley Middle School and brought together dancers hoping to earn a spot on the team.
The three-day tryout process allowed dancers to demonstrate their technique, performance ability, and overall character. Eighteen girls in grades 8–11 attended all three days of tryouts, and after the final round of evaluations, sixteen dancers were selected for the team.
Those selected for the 2026–2027 Brave Cadettes team include upcoming seniors Ryann Kallgren, Kaia Allred, Cambrie Heiner, Emry Kennington, and Rosie Steinbeck; upcoming juniors Mady Mosgeller and McKaty Dance; upcoming sophomore Hadley Brog; and upcoming freshmen Harper Hale, Maggie Burgess, Carly Mackey, Kenna Dance, Ellie Martin, Abby Bentlege, Addison Kendall, and Silver Stohr.
During the first two days of tryouts, dancers learned a jazz routine and reviewed various technique skills that would be judged. The sessions also included conditioning and time spent learning the team’s expectations. On the final day, dancers performed their routine and technique for the judges and participated in interviews. Judges scored each dancer out of 100 points based on technique, showmanship, preparedness, and character qualities such as coachability and accountability.
Head coach Kyli Scherbel said the team decided to hold tryouts earlier in the season so new members could participate in important team events before summer camps begin.
“We decided to hold tryouts early because we wanted the new team members to be able to benefit from the Brave Cadette Review, like it used to be,” Scherbel said. “It helps out quite a bit with their fees for the next year, and we have camps starting at the beginning of June. They will need to have their team gear before then, so participating in the review helps with their fees.”
Scherbel also expressed excitement about the potential of the newly selected team. “This new season has so much potential,” Scherbel said. “Our new team is so coachable, teachable, and talented. Not to mention they are just all-around amazing kids with common goals. Our returning team members from this last season worked so hard to create such a positive culture, and they are such good mentors to our new team members.”
Assistant coach Darbi Stoll said seeing so many dancers at tryouts was exciting and encouraging. “I felt excited seeing so many new faces and the talent they brought with them,” Stoll said. “There was so much determination and ambition in the room, and it made me even more excited for the upcoming season.”
Stoll said the coaches were looking for more than just strong dance technique when selecting team members. “One of the most important qualities we looked for was coachability,” Stoll said. “I wanted to see dancers take corrections and actively work to apply them. Anyone can become an amazing dancer if they are willing to learn and grow. We also looked for positivity, perseverance, and strong character.”
The four guest judges who helped evaluate dancers were Barbara Sessions, president of Silver Star Communications; Faith McNaughton, former head cheer coach; Lisa Crocker, former cheer coach and University of Wyoming dancer; and Lynne Allred, former Brave Cadette coach.
Returning team member and upcoming senior Emry Kennington said watching the dancers during tryouts was exciting. “It was really exciting to have all these new and very talented girls,” Kennington said. “It was really cool to watch them all get more comfortable and see their amazing skill sets.”
As she heads into her senior year on the team, Kennington said she is looking forward to building relationships with the new members. “It’s a little intimidating,” Kennington said. “I know I’m not the most skilled dancer in the bunch, so I’m looking forward to learning from the younger girls. It’s going to be a great year.”
Junior Madyson Mosgeller said she is excited about the future of the team. “I’m super excited to dance with a new team and continue rebuilding what we truly want this team to stand for,” Mosgeller said.
Throughout the upcoming season, the Brave Cadettes will perform at boys varsity football and basketball games, march in community parades such as the Fourth of July, county fair, and homecoming parades, compete at the Wyoming State Spirit Competition in January 2027, attend the 2027 NDA High School National Championship in Orlando, Florida in February, and conclude the year with the annual Brave Cadette Review.
