Seven members of the Evanston High School Classics dance team – fresh off of their second-place finish in Hip-Hop at the Bountiful Invitational in Utah over the weekend – returned home to the news that they were named to the 2023-24 All-State Team by the WHSAA.

Seniors Allie Sanchez-Mackey and Halli Davis were named All-State for the second consecutive year, while juniors Addison Asay, Lucie Rex, Aspyn Higdon, Hannah Liechty and Cambree Young were honored for the first time.

“It was quite a surprise to open that email, to be honest,” said Classics head coach Candice Spivey, laughing at the memory. “I think there were 10 girls on the list and we had seven of the 10, so that’s amazing. I’m just so proud of the hard work that the girls have put in – not just this season, but the last three or four years for some of them.”

Instead of just allowing seniors to try out for All-State, Spivey decided to open it up to the entire team.

“I wanted to see who was serious about auditioning for All-State,” she explained. “The original information was sent out to us on Nov. 20th, and the girls had a week to learn a routine on their own, outside of practice. They auditioned for me the Friday after Thanksgiving, and I selected the Top 7 to audition for the WHSAA Coaches Association. The girls auditioned on Dec. 9th, and then it was just a waiting game.”

Spivey said when she opened the email on Saturday, the team had just returned from the competition in Bountiful, where two of her three soloists – Allie Sanchez-Mackey and Halli Davis – had placed second, while the team placed second in Hip-Hop.

“To open that email up and see seven All-State members, it was just mind-blowing,” Spivey said. “It topped off a great weekend.”

The State Spirit Competition is scheduled for Jan. 26 in Casper, and as the defending state champions in both Hip-Hop and Jazz, Spivey said the Classics are sure to have a target on their backs heading into the Ford Wyoming Center.

That said, the girls wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Our theme this year is ‘Ready for War,’ so we are ready to protect our titles, for sure,” Spivey said. “The girls are ready to amplify our routines, perfect all the last-minute things we need to have ready to be at the state level. We’re so excited, and so ready to go compete again at State.”

All-State Classics

Allie Sanchez-Mackey

“What comes to mind when I think of Allie, is just what a great leader she is,” Spivey said. “That girl does everything, and then some. It doesn’t matter what she’s doing – her heart and soul is poured into every activity that she has. The fact that she’s student body president doesn’t take away from her dedication to her leadership on dance. She’s just an amazing, outstanding leader, as well as a beautiful dancer.”

Halli Davis

“Halli is stunning to watch dance – she gets it, she feels it, she embodies everything she does in the dance world,” Spivey said. “She’s just a treat to watch.”

Addison Asay

“Addi is our hidden gem,” Spivey said. “We call her ‘Ed,’ just because she’s clumsy – she’s our crash-test dummy on the team. But she’s one of our most beautiful dancers – she’s our hidden gem, for sure.”

Lucie Rex

“Lucie is a silent force on our team,” Spivey explained. “She’s not one who’s very vocal while we’re in practice, but she’s someone who gives it her all, every practice, every performance, every competition.”

Aspyn Higdon

“Aspyn is the one that challenges me – she pushes me to be a better coach,” Spivey said. “She always knows the counts, she always knows what she’s doing, and if I’m not on my ‘A’ game, she’s the first to tell me. She’s a great leader, and an example to the girls on the team.”

Hannah Liechty

“Hannah Liechty has really come out of her shell this last year – she is someone who kind of hid in her sister’s shadow, but has now really come to find herself and her lover for dance,” Spivey said. “That love is really starting to show on the dance floor, which is so great to see.”

Cambree Young

“Cambree is another dancer that kind of came out of nowhere – she was someone who was very timid and shy when I first started coaching, and has quickly found herself at the top of the team,” Spivey said. “She’s so dedicated, and gives every practice her total, full effort.”