Labor Day weekend to most people means fun and relaxation as the summer draws to an end; however, for Sole Impulse Dance Studio’s competitive clogging team Synergy, Labor Day weekend rarely means a weekend full of relaxation. 

Each year the National Clogging and Hoedown Championships hosts its national competition in which qualifying teams from regional competitions throughout the year compete for the coveted honor of being called a national champion in both the amateur and master divisions.

Synergy began as an amateur competitive clogging team in February of 2007, traveling throughout the southeast monthly.

In its first year, both the elementary team and the senior teams won numerous awards, finishing the year at nationals with an overall category award, but never winning the overall grand champion title. 

Beginning in February of 2009, the girls moved up as a Masters team, qualifying for Nationals in Charleston, S.C. in June.

After winning three of the seven categories at the national competition to advance to the overall dance-off, Synergy Jr. captured the national overall grand champion title for the Masters Division. The team beat out teams from all over the nation, while Synergy’s amateur team, Synergy Pee Wee, placed first runner-up overall in the amateur division. 

“We push our girls to dance their best at every practice, always preaching to them that you have to work to be successful.  Well, that hard work finally paid off and we couldn’t be more proud of the girls.  We are excited to bring Dawsonville such an outstanding title,” said directors Sarah Darby and Beth and Cara Petrunich. 

Synergy will perform at the Moonshine Festival this weekend and will also be holding registration for new classes in November.