West Central Reporter

State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer welcomed the Jacksonville High School J’ettes Dance Team to the State Capitol on behalf of himself and State Rep. Randy Frese (99th District) and passed House Resolution 661 to Congratulate the J’ettes Dance Team on winning the 2024 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Competitive Dance Championship.

House Resolution 661, passed by the members of the Illinois House of Representatives, congratulated the Jacksonville High School dance team, the J’ettes, on winning the 2024 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Competitive Dance Championship for the second year in a row.

The J’ettes, led by Coaches Tiffany Hickox and Sarah Van Aken, showcased their talent and dedication at the IHSA Class 1A Competitive Dance Finals, earning a score of 90.70 and narrowly surpassing Morris Community High School, who scored 89.96.

The resolution highlighted the team's success in various competitions, including being named the AA Lyrical and Open Pom Dance Champions and the AA Grand Champions at the 2024 Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA) State Finals. Additionally, the J’ettes made it to the semi-finals with their lyrical routine at the 2024 Universal Dance Association (UDA) National Competition in Orlando, Florida.

The J’ettes team consists of 14 dancers, including seniors Jacey Evans, Lindsey Hautala, Kimmy Davis, and Manager Lily Rohlk; juniors Kylie Chumley, Emma Wolters, Elizabeth Stremming, Hailey Weeks, Samantha Lawson, and Manager Marley Van Aken; sophomores Greta Bryson-Adams and Lily Hickox; and freshmen Lauren Deen and Charlotte Brockhouse.

In closing, the resolution expressed the House of Representatives' congratulations to the J’ettes and wished them future success and many more triumphant seasons to come. It was resolved that suitable copies of the resolution be presented to the J’ettes’ coaches and team members as a symbol of esteem and respect.