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Eleanor McDonald of the Willis Sweethearts
WHAT A SWEETHEART: Willis' McDonald an ambassador for the purple and white
WHEN IT COMES TO THE VIBE AT WILLIS HIGH SCHOOL UNDER THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, IT’S HARD TO MISS THE ICONIC SWEETHEARTS DANCE GROUP.
The flashy silver and purple uniforms moving in unison can make it difficult for any, one dancer, to stand out.
However, the team’s captain, senior Eleanor McDonald, has found ways to do just that.
“I first started dancing when I was three years old, and I’ve been at the same studio (Backstage Dance) ever since,” said McDonald. “My mom put me in dance because my younger sister was born, and she wanted me to feel special.
“I’ve stuck with it since, because I really love it. I like to show my feelings through dance, and I have a real passion for it.”
McDonald had the rare opportunity to be a part of the Sweethearts’ 50th anniversary celebration before she was named captain this season.
Alyssa Williams, Willis
WHAT A SWEETHEART: Williams, Dance Team Persevered Last Year to Win 10th Title
While the Sweethearts do so much for the community and provide tremendous halftime entertainment at games, they also win. And win big.
Led by Captain Alyssa Williams, the Sweethearts won their 10th National Dance Title in school history in 2021.
"I was actually the one who got to grab the trophy," Williams remembered. "I grabbed it and immediately looked back to my team and knew we did it together. So much happened last year with COVID — the delays, the practices and people leaving the team — but it was all worth it in the end."
But what about the beginning?
Williams has been doing dance since she was in kindergarten, but not until she was in middle school did it really click.
"I saw the Sweethearts and that was it," she laughed. "I knew I had to be on that team. They were all so beautiful and so structured. I wanted it and I worked so hard to make the team my freshman year. Last year, I became an officer."
She passes the baton to her sister Addison, who will be this year's Captain.
"It's going to be so much fun and a privilege to work with her," she said.
Alyssa is pouring herself into school, taking college classes and getting prepared for the university life. She also has another passion.
"I'm really involved with school, so people might not know that I'm pretty creative," she said. "I don't show it a lot, but I can think out-of-the-box a little bit. I love planning events and I work with an event coordinator in town doing community functions."
Where does she find the time?
