On October 24th, 2025, Rocklin High School’s dance team had their final football performance, as well as their senior night. Though the football team ultimately suffered a close loss, 14-15 against Del Oro High School, the seniors dance team didn’t let that dull their final performance on the turf.
There were many emotions in the air, as well as tears, which Coach Ellery Castillo elaborates on, stating, “So many emotions, it’s really hard to watch them grow up and leave, but also just so proud and privileged to get to spend their lives with them and experience all the joys and everything that has to do with dance team. And it’s sad to watch them move on with their lives and go on” Dance team captain senior Brooke Hanegan shares a similar opinion, explaining her bittersweet feelings, “I’m really sad, because there’s just so many memories, and I’m really gonna miss it, but I’m excited for all the new things ahead of me.” The team’s camaraderie makes this night one of the more tearful for the team.
WIth so many new opportunities and experiences on the horizon, it’s undoubtable that the seniors are looking forward to a new chapter of their lives, but what will they miss most about the team? Hanegan answers, “I think I’m gonna miss all my friends and just performing. These have been my best friends since freshman year. I’ve been with them for four years, every single day.” S
enior Keeley Shimazu also mourns the loss of her high school friends, stating, “I’m probably gonna miss the bonds I have on this team and, like, it’s gonna be really sad that we’re gonna be separating next year, and I won’t be here. I’ll be away at college.”
Though this night unfortunately marks the end of the dance team seniors’ football season, the current and future members will have to fill their shoes. What goals do the current dance leaders have for them? Shimazu responds, “I just hope that everyone still stays in unison, and everyone works hard, and it just keeps going as a family, and everyone gets along.” Coach Castillo highlights the juniors on the team, “Our juniors have done such a great job of soaking in all of that knowledge and learning from [the seniors] over the years. So I’m excited to watch them step into that leadership role and continue to, you know, nurture the ones below them and keep teaching them and continue the legacy of our team.”
This event marked the end of an era for everyone on the dance team, but it began a new one at the same time. The seniors are stepping into their roles in college, the juniors into their roles as seniors, the sophomores into their roles as upperclassmen, and freshman learning from and leaving behind their first year of high school. The seniors’ time on the sidelines is up with one last dance.
