Senior Bootlegger dance team member McKena Mace is using her talent to push her all the way to the top. Mace has been a Bootlegger since her freshman year, and trained two years at the Heartbeat Dance Studio and has enjoyed every                    minute of it.

On Saturday, September 20, she became the first Marlow dancer to ever make the All-Region Dance Team, and later learned she had made All-State. The Oklahoma State Dance Team Directors Association holds the auditions every year, and Mace auditioned with about 85 other dancers from all classes.

They announced the All-Region/All-State team about an hour after everyone tried out.

“I was happy with All-Region, but extremely happy when I learned on Monday that I had                 made All-State.”

— McKena Mace

Bootlegger coach Lisa Branum said Mace’s demeanor is what makes her unique.

“She is not an outspoken, boisterous personality while at dance, and since her entire class is loud and boisterous at least 75% of the time, she is the calm before the storm,” Branum said.

Mace was named All-American her junior and senior year at the Universal Dance Association camp. She was co-captain her junior year and now serves as a squad leader.

“McKena is very genuine and looks to help others at all times. She is always willing to listen to everybody’s opinion and input. She’s an overall great person and dancer,” senior Bootlegger Bree Boyce said.

Mace will be performing in the upcoming State Dance Competition on December 13 at the Oklahoma City University.

Kallie Slate

Outlaw exPressions writer