For the members of Berkley High School’s Dance Team, performing at a Detroit Pistons game was an opportunity to showcase their talent on a big stage. The team we know for their hard work and dedication spent weeks preparing for the high-energy performance in front of hundreds of fans at Little Caesars Arena. They took the court before the game started, and the excitement throughout the moment was unmistakable.
Senior and co-captain Ruqaya Siddiqi shared her excitement about being selected to perform, saying, “It was really exciting, especially because we’ve never done anything like this before. I was glad that it was something all our friends and family could attend, and it was also a sports event we could watch.” She then walked us through the preparation process for such a big performance: “We practiced every Monday and Wednesday as usual. Since this was for our homecoming dance, we had already been familiar with it. When we arrived, we went down to the floor, ran through it a couple of times, and then performed.”
However, despite the preparation, performing on such a big stage came with its own set of challenges. Siddiqi shared some insight into the challenges they faced, saying, “I think the biggest challenge was managing our formations, especially since we weren’t sure how it would look with the gym floor being different from the one we practiced on.” She also shared how the team overcomes nerves: “We have this cheer where we all put our hands in and say, ‘ONE, TWO, THREE, ONE TIME.’ It reminds us that we only have one chance to do everything right. When we do that as a group and cheer each other on, our nerves go away.”
For assistant co-captain junior Nadia Fobbs, the team’s strong dynamic and experience helped her feel ready for the performance. She reflected on how being part of the team has prepared her, saying, “I’ve been part of the team since 9th grade, and I feel like we’ve always had a great group dynamic and understanding with each other. So, it wasn’t really about extra preparation – we just felt comfortable with each other.” She then compared the energy of performing at a Pistons game to other events: “It was a different environment, and you couldn’t really see the crowd. You knew you were performing on such a big stage, and a lot of people were going to see you, so you’re definitely a little more nervous. But at the same time, you’re even more excited to go out there and dance.”
With this excitement in mind, Fobbs shared how the team stays focused and motivated, saying, “You just know a lot of people are going to be watching, so you definitely want to get it perfect and not mess up, and that definitely motivates you.” She also reflected on what it felt like to represent her high school at such a big event, saying, “It was a huge honor. Our coach has been working really hard to get us performing at other places, and being able to represent our school was a really unique and fun experience.”
Senior Sabiya Siddiqi, a spectator at the performance, shared her thoughts on how this performance compared to others the team has done in the past: “Yes, I’ve seen the dance team perform. I go to all of Ruqaya’s performances because I’m her twin! But this one was a lot different because you could see them dancing on the big screen, which was really cool.” She continued “It showed all the different angles and cuts of the performance, so it was amazing seeing her on the screen—she looked famous. I think they did really well. They were all in sync, and it was just overall a fantastic performance.” Reflecting on how it felt to see her school’s team perform on such a big stage, she added, “It felt really cool because I didn’t expect this to happen. I don’t know how they managed to pull it off, but it was a really awesome experience.”
The performance at the Pistons game was a defining moment for the BHS dance team; it showcased their talent, teamwork, and dedication. Not only did they bring their best to the court, but they also made lasting memories with friends, family, and the entire Berkley community.
