Every year, senior pom dancers from all around the state are invited to compete for the title of All-state, and one Stillwater senior was able to have her hard work recognized.

Stella Khu, a senior who’s been dancing since kindergarten and doing Pom since her sophomore year, was one among many dancers that tried out and was named to the All-State squad.

“It felt really good,” Khu said. “I’m glad my hard work is paying off.”

Stella was the only member on her team to enter, yet she still had plenty of support from the rest of her team and coach.

“I didn’t know how to feel,” Khu said. “My coach was more confident in me, more than myself.” 

Stillwater High School’s Pom Coach Rachel Wilson said all of the work for Stella’s audition was done on her own time, hours spent learning and videoing her entry.

“I am very proud of the work that Stella put in to achieve this impressive honor,” Wilson said. “It just goes to show how dedicated she is, really.”

Stella’s effort and hard work she put forth embodies the program’s standard of excellence, and makes her an excellent representative of the program, she said.

“Her accomplishment goes to show that the team is training, developing and producing dancers who can compete and excel at the highest level,” Wilson said.

As captain of the high school’s team, she serves as a positive role model for her teammates, making sure that everyone feels valued. Sophomore Addie Ammons was able to expand on some of the impact she’s had.

“She keeps us motivated and makes sure we don’t get too stressed,” Ammons said. “She helped me respect the sport and also to not take it for granted.”