Featured Image: (Pacer Graphic / Sophia Phillips)

The stage is set and the music is ready as UT Martin prepares for one of its most anticipated campus events: Dancing with the Skyhawks.

The showcase will combine entertainment, competition and community spirit as students, faculty and staff take the stage for a night of fun performance.

Among this year’s contestants is Catherine Jones, Academic Records Specialist at UT Martin, who said her decision to participate was rooted in a personal goal to step outside her comfort zone.

“My New Year’s resolution was to get out of my own way and do things more for me, more things for family and friends,” said Jones. “I wanted to be more engaged and do things that I think I would enjoy instead of waiting and getting the leftovers.”

Jones is paired with Rush Cox, a sophomore mechanical engineering major and member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, who said the event aligns with his past involvement on campus.

“I’ve done similar things like this before for my fraternity,” Cox said. “This is kind of just another step along the stuff that we do around campus.”

Despite coming from different backgrounds, the pair said they have built a strong connection through shared goals of growth and involvement. Cox said that connection has played a key role in their rehearsals.

“We’re very like minded in the fact that Ms. Catherine wanted to get out of her comfort zone and do stuff for herself, and I want to come to UTM and do the same thing, get involved in as much as I can,” said Cox. “That dynamic helps us bond and make the dance as good as it is.”

Balancing schedules has been one of the biggest challenges during preparation. Jones said coordinating rehearsal times was difficult at first but has improved as the team adjusted.

“We were trying to plan and meet, but now that we’ve actually talked and met, everything is after hours,” said Cox. “It’s just kind of scurrying to get over here at five p.m.”

Jones also noted the physical demands of learning choreography, adding humor to the experience. Still, she credited her partner and coach for creating a positive environment.

“They’re great. I couldn’t have picked out a better coach and partner,” Jones said. “I just think we do well together.”

That coach is Kayla Mick, a senior applied arts and dance major at UT Martin. She said her approach focuses on ensuring participants feel confident and comfortable on stage.

“More than anything, making sure that they have fun and they feel comfortable on stage,” Mick said. “Making sure that Ms. Jones and Rush have an opportunity to showcase their personality.”

Mick said working with the pair has been a smooth and enjoyable experience.

“They’ve been a wonderful team to work with,” said Mick. “There’s not really been any challenges that I can think of. It’s been a super fun experience.”

As rehearsals have progressed, Mick said the group has focused on performance quality and storytelling through movement.

“I think that their showmanship and performance quality, and the way that they express the story while they’re moving, is going to be really exciting to watch,” Mick said.

For Cox, one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was the relationships he built.

“Meeting everyone, meeting Ms. Catherine, it’s been great,” said Cox. “I like to be out there and represent.”

Jones said the experience has also been meaningful for her, particularly in building connections and creating something new.

“Meeting them and spending time with them, and just seeing what we’re creating together, that’s been the most rewarding part,” said Jones.

Both performers said audiences can expect an engaging routine.

“I think the audience can expect a great time,” Cox said. “They’re going to get into it.”

For Mick, the event serves as a meaningful conclusion to her time in the program.

“It’s one last opportunity to show what I’ve learned in this program, but in a really fun, upbeat way,” said Mick. “It’s not super technical or made for a grade, it’s something I can just relax and have fun with.”

With rehearsals nearing completion, Dancing with the Skyhawks is expected to bring energy, creativity and entertainment to the stage as participants prepare to perform.

Dancing with the Skyhawks will take place on Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Watkins Auditorium. Attendees are encouraged to support participants by bringing donations of shelf-stable food items to benefit Captain’s Pantry.