March 29, 2024

Pacesetters to host state competition

The Newton Community School District, along with the Newton High School Pacesetters, will host the Iowa State Drill Team Solo Competition Friday and Saturday.

More than 600 competitors from across the state will be competing solos in both dance and colorguard for a chance to gain a state title. The solo dance competition will take place Saturday at the high school in the upper gym, lower gym and the auditorium and at the middle school beginning at 8 a.m. until approximately 7 p.m on Saturday.

The state solo flag competition will take place Friday evening at Berg Middle School from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admissions is $5 for kindergarten and up and free to children under 5. Gifts, flowers and concessions will be available all day.

This year, the Pacesetters have nine soloists competing in Class VI in the lower gym. Those soloists include Madison Mann (8:07 a.m.), Hadley Braaksma (8:21 a.m.), Brenna Schwenker (8:35 a.m.), Tapanga Birkenholtz (8:42 a.m.), Macey Caves (8:45 a.m.), Josi Swihart (9:09 a.m.), Serena Halferty (9:20 a.m.), Kayla Conner (10:31 a.m.) and Olivia Bebout (11:10 a.m.). The school district invites the public to come out and support the NHS Pacesetters.