Dance team searches for new coach in anticipation of fall season

As the Parkette’s winter season comes to a close, the team’s attention turns to finding a new coach to bring them into the 2013 fall season.

Former coach, Linnea Donahue, announced her resignation after the 2013 winter season as the head coach of the Parkettes after recreating the team after almost twenty years in 2011 to re-enter the corporate world.

“I was motivated to start the team up again because dance has been such a constructive part of my life and I wanted to bring a dance team back into the high school as an opportunity for students to be involved in something positive” Donahue said.

The team performs at home games for football and soccer during the fall season and basketball and hockey games during the winter season. In addition to performing at fall and winter varsity sporting events, the Parkettes have performed at the Mall of America and performed for elementary school pep fests.

Senior Jacqueline Arndt, a member of the team during the fall season, said she describes Donahue’s leadership as the foundation and drive of the team.

“She has really fought for us, and because of her it has been possible for us to have a team,” Arndt said.

According to Donahue, the process of finding a new coach is underway.

“I am helping with the process and I will train in the new coach to take over where I left off so there is a smooth transition,” she said.

Donahue has been working with principal Rob Metz to secure a coach for the Parkettes.

While the current assistant coach, Bailey Marie Johnson, is not able to assume the head coach position due to time commitment conflicts, she will remain with the team into the next season in her current position.

Although nothing is secured for next season at this time,  Donahue said she hopes to see numbers stay strong she said in the past the winter team has become a bit smaller due to transportation conflicts the dancers have.

“We initially began with nineteen in the first fall season but the team shrank in the winter season because the teammates didn’t have rides to and from practice, but the following season we were back up to nineteen,” Donahue said.

“Even when we have six Parkettes on the floor, we’re still strong,” Donahue said.