This season, the Tiger Dance Team is working hard to stay ahead of the game. Ten members and two managers make up a team that has doubled in size and style. The girls strive to be humanitarians and have average GPA of 3.55.

Coaching them is Tara Leete, and this is her second year at ADM. Leete began dancing at the age of 2 ½ and went on to tour Europe for two weeks performing when she was in 6th grade. Leete won multiple awards at competitions and has shared her love of dancing with many throughout the years.

Aside from touring Europe, Leete has also trained at Edge Performing Arts, and Tremaine Dance Conventions in Los Angeles, been a member of the Southeast Polk Rhythamettes Dance Team, the All American Dance Team and the Flightline for the Iowa Barnstormers. She has choreographed for several studios, conventions, modeling companies, commercials, West Des Moines Dance Team, Valley Dance Team, Woodward-Granger Dance Team and now ADM Dance Team.

According to Coach Leete, fundraising is what generates the program. Currently, the team is selling Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and even though Friday is the last morning they will be selling them in the morning outside of the school, orders can still be given to members all year long. They also sell apparel, and their state competition shirts will be coming out soon. Over the summer, the team has partnered with the Pizza Ranch to have a “tip night” which not only raised money for the team, but also was a great bonding experience.

The dance team is also involved in several community service projects, and have currently raised $654 for the Alzheimer’s Walk, are doing a clothing drive for the Children’s Clothes Closet in town and are raising money through their Bravepage for the Dementia Society of America. Check out the Tiger Dance Team on Facebook (ADM Tiger Dance), and look for them at the next football game.