News (2007 - 2008 Season)
4/15/2008
Packatahnas Featured in Dance Spirit Magazin
The West Fargo Packatahnas were featured in the April issue of Dance Spirit Magazine. The nationally published magazine did a story about the “Keys to Kickline” and head coach Gretchen Stafslien was interviewed for the story.
3/16/2008
2008 Packatahna Raffle Winners
The Packatahnas would like to thank everyone for buying a raffle ticket. We also want to thank Troy Thomson with Extreme Pita for sponsoring the raffle with a coupon on the back of each ticket. Please redeem your coupon at Extreme Pita in Fargo or West Fargo and receive a FREE drink and chips with the purchase of a Pita.
Here are our 2008 Raffle Winners:
| Jason | Swart | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 1, 2008 |
| Sue | Fett | Moorhead | MN | $100.00 | February 2, 2008 |
| George | Arneson | Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 4, 2008 |
| Terry | Koppang | Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 5, 2008 |
| John | Ulrickson | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 6, 2008 |
| Terri | Stavenger | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 7, 2008 |
| Jim | Burdick | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 8, 2008 |
| Brooke | Mechtenberg | Minneapolis | MN | $200.00 | February 9, 2008 |
| Ashley | Campbell | Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 11, 2008 |
| Karen | Haberlack | Minot | ND | $50.00 | February 12, 2008 |
| Duane | Carlstrom | Moorhead | MN | $50.00 | February 13, 2008 |
| Bruce | Bekkerus | Moorhead | MN | $50.00 | February 14, 2008 |
| Kendra | Obrien | Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 15, 2008 |
| Andrea | Parkhouse | West Fargo | ND | $300.00 | February 16, 2008 |
| Darcey | Diemert | West Fargo | ND | $0.00 | February 18, 2008 |
| Emma | Wold | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 19, 2008 |
| Jim | Romdalvick | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 20, 2008 |
| Kelly | Lass | Moorhead | MN | $50.00 | February 21, 2008 |
| Vickie | Meyer | Mapleton | ND | $50.00 | February 22, 2008 |
| Juanita | Kennedy | Dilworth | MN | $400.00 | February 23, 2008 |
| Shannon | Kist | Horace | ND | $50.00 | February 25, 2008 |
| Tim | Clark | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 26, 2008 |
| Jerome | Lureen | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 27, 2008 |
| Vivian | Pearson | West Fargo | ND | $50.00 | February 28, 2008 |
| Connie | Platt | Aurora | CO | $50.00 | February 29, 2008 |
3/05/2008
Packatahnas Finish Season in Fine Style
The West Fargo Packatahnas competed at the UPA Americup Dance Competition, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, February 22 and 23, 2008. Teams from across the United States, Mexico and Canada were a part of the competition. The Packatahnas started strong in the individual All-Star, Kick, and Leap competitions. Senior Packatahna, Emily Dahley, earned the honor of All American Super Star, Junior Kristina Yerisov was the Kick Champion and Sophomore Sasha Steichen was the Leap Champion. Each category began with 50-65 competitors and in the kick and leap divisions every Packatahna that competed finished in the top 10.
On Saturday, the team competed in the Varsity High Kick and Senior All Star Pom divisions. The Packatahnas maintained a proud season, winning first place in the High Kick division, which included eleven teams from three states. West Fargo finished fifth in the Pom division, which included eight teams from six states, several of which are nationally recognized in the category.
Sunday the team competed in both the Varsity 1 Jazz and the Varsity 1 Hip Hop divisions. The Packatahnas completed the season with an undefeated Jazz routine, taking home the first place honors out of eleven teams. The Hip Hop routine took fourth place honors in a category that hosted nine teams.
UPA also awards the Grand Champion honor in each division. Top scores are honored with the opportunity to compete their routines against other teams in their same division. The Packatahnas made finals with three of their four routines. Kick, Jazz, and Pom all scored high enough to be competed, and the team chose to compete Kick and Pom, (each team can compete for Grand Champion with one routine per division). The Packatahnas competed their nationally-recognized kick routine against one other kick routine, three pom routines and two hip hop routines. The kick routine, dubbed “Fly Away” by the team and fans, earned the highest honor at the competition when the team was named UPA Grand Champions in the High School Division.
As the 2008 State High Kick Champions, the Packatahnas have been invited to perform their kick routine at the State Class A Boys Basketball Championship game on Saturday, March 8. This will be the last performance for seniors Haylee Preabt, MaryJo Nelson, Tania Peters (captain), and Emily Dahley (choreographer). This year graduates another group of talented and dedicated athletes from the West Fargo dance team. Another group that is proud to say they are Packatahnas.
By Gretchen Ehlen
UPA Americup Dance Competition
Minneapolis Convention Center, February 22 and 23, 2008
2/20/2008
The West Fargo Packatahnas competed in the UDA National Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Florida, on February 2nd and 3rd. The varsity team competed in the High Kick and Large Varsity Pom divisions in the competition.
The competition began with prelims on Saturday morning at the Indiana Jones Theatre located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios park. The preliminary High Kick lineup included 30 teams from across the United States, and the Large Varsity Pom division began with 38 teams. Two successful performances later, the Packatahnas were thrilled to learn that they had advanced to finals in both High Kick and Pom.
The High Kick Finals were held Saturday evening at the Wide World of Sports. The team left it all on the floor with a stellar performance that landed them the honor of being ranked third in the nation. All team members and coaches were presented with individual bronze medals and the team was presented with a trophy. The top three teams will be featured on ESPN2 when the UDA National Dance Team Championships are aired on Sunday, March 2nd, 2008.
Pom finals were held on Sunday evening at the Wide World of Sports and in only their second year competing in this difficult division, the Packatahnas did our community proud with an eleventh place finish. It was a very exciting day for the team and fans, and a great way to end the competition. Video clips from the competition are available at www.varsity.com.
The Packatahnas will be competing in the UPA Competition in Minneapolis on February 22-24, 2008. This competition will conclude the Packatahnas competitive season, but performance and other event dates are available at www.packatahnas.org.
The nationally-recognized West Fargo Packatahnas are coached by Gretchen Stafslien, Sonya Butenhoff, and Jordan Jost. Junior Varsity Coach Kara Dahley was also a part of the varsity coaching team at the national competition in Orlando.
UDA National Dance Team Championships - February 2 & 3, 2008
2/17/2008
The Packatahnas mini dance camp
The Packatahnas mini dance camp will be postponed until fall due to scheduling conflicts.
1/28/2008
Packatahnas are 2008 State Champions!
The West Fargo Packatahnas won three North Dakota State Dance Titles in Grand Forks at the 2008 NDADD State Dance Championships. The Packathanas won the State Championship in Class A High Kick, Class A Jazz Dance, and Junior Varsity Dance. This is the sixth consecutive year the Packatahnas have won the State titles in Dance and the fourth consecutive in High Kick. It is the sixth straight State title for the Junior Varsity Packatahnas in the JV Dance division.
The Varsity Packatahnas also placed third in Class A Hip Hop and the JV Packatahnas placed second in JV Pom. Packatahna Head Coach, Gretchen Stafslien, was a finalist for North Dakota Dance Coach of the Year.
The Packatahnas will compete at the UDA National Dance Championships in Orlando, FL on February 2nd, 2008.
North Dakota Dance and Drill State Championships, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND
January 25th and 26th, 2008
01/13/2008
Varsity Packatahnas Win at St. Mary’s - JV at NDSU
The West Fargo Packatahnas were represented and competed at two Dance Invitational's on Saturday January 12th. The Varsity Packatahnas traveled west to compete at the St. Mary’s Saintiques Invitational in Bismarck, ND and the Junior Varsity Packatahnas stayed in Fargo to compete at the NDSU Dance Invitational. The Varsity Packatahnas competed in Class A Kick, Class A Hip Hop, and Class A Jazz Dance. They won first place in Jazz Dance and finished second in High Kick. They also performed their National Pom routine as an exhibition. The Junior Varsity Packatahnas won first place in JV Pom and JV Dance/Kick at the NDSU Invitational.
St. Mary’s Saintiques Invitational - Bismarck, ND - January 12, 2008
01/09/2008
Packatahnas Host Dance Show
The West Fargo Packatahnas will host their annual Dance Show on Saturday, January 19th,2008, at 1:30pm and 4:00pm. Along with several performances by the Packatahnas, other featured teams include West Fargo Just for Kix, Halftime by Sheri, the West Fargo Cheer Team, the West Fargo Mystikix, and the unforgettable Pack-a-Papas! Admission to the event is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children K-12, and free for students with a WF activity pass in their possession. Come and see West Fargo’s finest performers!
01/06/2008
Packatahnas Win High Kick Title at UDA Spirit of America
The West Fargo Packatahnas competed at the UDA Spirit of America dance competition at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN on January 5, 2008. The Packatahnas won first place in the Varsity High Kick division for the third consecutive year. They also competed in the Large Varsity Pom division and placed third behind Washington High School (Sioux Falls, SD) and nationally ranked Eden Prairie High School (Eden Prairie, MN). The West Fargo JV Packatahnas competed in the JV Hip Hop division and placed second to Eau Claire Memorial (Eau Claire, WI). This was the first time the JV Packatahnas performed and competed their Hip Hop routine this season.
The Varsity Packatahnas won a special award for “Best Choreography” in the high school division for their High Kick routine. This was also the third consecutive year they won this award at the Spirit of America competition.
UDA Spirit of America - Minneapolis, MN - January 5, 2008
12/16/007
Packatahnas Compete at the Bismarck High Demonettes Winter Invitational
The West Fargo Packatahnas traveled to Bismarck, ND to compete at the Bismarck High Demonettes Winter Invitational. The Varsity Packatahnas placed first in Varsity High Kick and Varsity Jazz Dance. The JV Packatahnas won first place in Junior Varsity Kick/Dance and placed second in Junior Varsity Pom. The Bismarck St. Mary’s Saintiques placed in first Varsity Pom and the Bismarck Demonettes placed first in Varsity Hip Hop.
The Packatahnas will now have a couple of weeks off from competing to enjoy the holidays. There next competition will be on Saturday January 5th at the UDA Spirit of Americas at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN.
Bismarck Demonette Winter Invitational - December 15, 2007
12/9/2007
Packatahnas Host 13th Annual West Fargo Invitational
The West Fargo Packatahnas hosted their 13th annual West Fargo Invitational on Saturday. There were 25 teams that competed in Varsity, Junior varsity, Junior High, and College categories. The Packatahnas placed first in Varsity High Kick, Varsity Jazz, Junior Varsity Pom, and Junior Varsity Kick/Jazz. They placed 2nd in Varsity Pom. The Fargo North Spartacas placed in first Varsity Pom, the Bismarck Demonettes placed first in Varsity Hip Hop, and the Concordia Zea Mays placed first in the college division. Other first place winners were the Kindred Vikettes in Class B Pom, Galaxy Dance Studio Shooting Stars in Class B Jazz, the Central Cass Casseltinas in Class B High Kick, and the West Fargo Cheney Middle School placed first in the Junior High Division.
The Packatahnas hosted their 1st All-Star individual Competition on Friday December 7th. The 1st place honors went to Alexis Hoffman from the Fargo North Spartacas in Turns, Lauren Semanko from the Galaxy Dance Studio in Leaps, and Amanda Grieve from the Fargo North Spartacas in Kicks.
The Packatahnas will compete in the Demonette Invitational on Saturday December 15th in Bismarck, North Dakota.
West Fargo Invitational - December 8, 2007
12/02/2007
Packatahnas Kick off Season at Fargo North
The West Fargo Packatahnas started off their 2007-2008 dance season Saturday at the Fargo North Invitational and came away with first place finishes in Varsity High Kick, Varsity Jazz, and Junior Varsity Kick/Jazz. They placed 5th in Varsity Pom. West Fargo also received trophies for the highest point total (varsity kick routine) and sportsmanship for the entire competition.
The Packatahnas will host the West Fargo Invitational on Saturday, December 8th, at the West Fargo High School. Competition begins at 12:30. The public is welcome to attend.
Fargo North Invitational - December 1, 2007
11/18/2007
West Fargo Packatahnas to Host 13th Annual Dance Invitational
The West Fargo Packatahnas will host their 13th Annual Dance Invitational on Saturday, December 8th, 2007 at the West Fargo High School. There will be 25 teams from across North Dakota and parts of Minnesota competing in High Kick, Jazz Dance, Pom, and Hip-Hop divisions. Just for Kix, Halftime by Sheri, and Galaxy Dance Studios will also be performing in exhibition. Doors will open at 11:30 am to the public with exhibition starting at 12:00 noon. Opening ceremonies will start at 12:15 pm and the competition will begin at 12:30 pm. Admission prices are Adults: $6.00, Seniors and K-12: $4.00. Concessions will be available.
For more info, please contact Julie Heinen at pjheinen@msn.com.
11/11/2007
A couple pictures from the Halloween Carnival have been added.
10/24/2007
A few more pictures have been added to the Random category.
10/23/2007
The West Fargo Invitational T-Shirt order form has been added to the schedule. You may download it here. 
Invitational T-shirts Order Form
10/14/2007
Some docs have have added which can be found in the schedule section. These include: West Fargo Invitational registration and meal voucher form, Packatahna All-Star Competition registration form, and the halloween carnival flyer.