For years, the Poly dance team has set the rhythm of rallies and games, executing coordinated routines and choreography. The team performs mainly at football games in the fall and basketball games in the winter, in addition to some waterpolo and volleyball games and other events like Friday Night Lights and alumni reunions. However, recent seasons have seen frequent coaching switches that have resulted in a lack of cohesion and a drop in numbers for the team.
This past fall, the team consisted of senior captains Anastasia Arrieta and Hera Yuan, juniors Lucy Curran and Megan Lin, sophomores Victoria Day, Lily Pak, Caralee Wang and Kalia Whitney and freshman Calla Sim. By the winter season, however, the roster had shrunk to four dancers, consisting of Arrieta, Wang, Whitney and junior Jujube Hutt. Following shifts in team structure and coaching staff, team members reported specific operational difficulties within the program.
For the past three seasons, the team has had a new head coach every year. Previous coaches left for personal or professional opportunities.
“There’s been a balance of the students trying to implement what the team has done in the past versus the coaches trying to implement their own style,” reflected Hutt, who has danced with the team since her freshman year.
During the fall season, dancers noted significant tension caused by a lack of communication between the team captains and new head coach Tywan Bynum. This disconnect has created significant confusion over roles and responsibilities, leaving both the leaders and the team unsure of who is responsible for certain tasks.
“I think it was just unclear who was in charge of what. The captains do a lot when it comes to organization. And so does the coach,” explained Hutt.
Members of the team also expressed concern about coaches’ lack of attendance at games and practices as well as the lack of responding to communications from captains about scheduling and uniforms. Furthermore, some members also expressed discomfort with the content of choreography and music choices.
“I think the leading factor that led my decision to quit was just feeling unheard and ignored when I brought up feeling uncomfortable with the moves in the song choices that we were doing, and just the general irresponsibility of our coach,” shared former member junior Lucy Curran. “Every time I tried to speak I felt like I was shut down and ignored in a very rude way.”
The Paw Print reached out to Bynum for an interview, but he did not respond.
Arrieta also attributes the drop in student participation in the dance team to a lack of respect for the team among the student body.
“I think that the amount of respect that is given to the dance team varies, but is ultimately reflected in the dismissiveness I’ve seen team members deal with,” Arrieta, co-captain and only four-year member, shared. “The dance team has become a laughing stock among students, and some adults, while saying they respect the team, might not realize how our lack of resources might make us less respected.”
These recurring problems have plagued the team for seasons. Many members quit in the fall of 2023, leaving the team with just five people. In the 2024-2025 season the roster expanded back to double digits, but then dropped again after this fall.
However, this year students began taking measures to fix these issues.
The team met with Associate Athletic Director Katrina Damasco-Dicipulo to address their concerns, and by winter, they made significant progress. Bynum and Damasco-Dicipulo agreed to have regular meetings to better communicate expectations and scheduling.
In addition, athletes from other sports have expressed appreciation for the dance team’s work and support at games.
“I think that the dance team, like any team in Poly sports, deserves the recognition and the celebration of their hard work and practice,” shared senior and varsity football captain Hudson Yen. “I always tried to show my appreciation for the dance team, whether it was at games or simply passing by on campus. ”
Despite the improvements, the dance team remained small throughout the winter season. However, almost all of the former members from the fall season showed up to celebrate the captains during senior night on Jan. 30.
“I think that staying on a team for the sake of loving dancing itself is admirable, and seeing people uplift the dance team has made me really proud to be a member all this time,” reflected Arrieta.
In addition, some former members of the team hope to return.
“I do plan on returning next year because I really love the team and I believe in second chances,” shared Curran. “I don’t want to give up on the team especially being a captain next year and because it will be my senior year. I feel really sad that it had to end this way for me this year but can’t wait for next year, and I hope things will be better.”
