Thirty members of the Inspire Dance Studio and Baton Club in Olds left Wednesday, Feb. 13 for the Twirl Mania International Championships at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
All are Olds residents. The youngest competitor is five years old and the oldest is 17.
The competitions run Feb 15-18. Feb 14 will be a practice day for the athletes.
Jenna Jemieff, owner of Inspire Dance Studio and Baton Club, said the purpose of the trip is to celebrate the facility's fifth anniversary and give students and club members a chance to measure their skills and abilities against others.
"Most families are staying the week after and making it a family vacation," she said.
They've been training for the competition for about a year-and-a-half.
"We have some dancers who will be competing their dance solo and we have some baton twirlers who will be competing (in) solo events and duet events. That's an individual event that's in front of a judge. We have a pompom group that's going as well," Jemieff said.
"We have a dance group that will be competing and then we have two baton twirling groups that will be competing as well.
"It's a very inclusive competition. You have everything from a beginner level to an elite advanced level. So it's a really great place for anyone to go to compete, because you compete at any level and any age group, but you can see the elite and advanced athletes and really be inspired by them," she added.
"The kids will be competing in individual events as well as group events. We also have students who will be performing in the Disney parade."
They've been raising funds for the trip through everything from partnerships with local businesses to collecting bottles.
That way, money was raised to cover costs for track jackets and other clothing for the athletes as well as entry fees for the competition. That money will also cover the cost of a bus to transport everyone around.
However, parents have to foot the bill for things like airfare and accommodation.
A send-off and full dress rehearsal for the athletes was held Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Frank Grisdale Hall gym.
"It's for family and friends that unfortunately won't be making the trip with us down to Disney World," Jemieff said. (It's a chance for them) to come out and watch the girls in full costume perform all the events that they're going to be competing (in) down there and celebrate them and wish them luck before we leave on Wednesday."
