Three members of the West Central Valley High School Dance Team recently received statewide recognition.

Dance Team Sponsor Hilary Sawyers says that Addisyn Leonard, Scarlett Putney, and Adalyn Weber participated in the 2025 Iowa College Dance Combine, where over 270 dancers from across the state and nation networked with and performed for a variety of colleges and universities. She mentions that the three Wildcats were recognized for their work and performances, and were named to the All Iowa Honor Dance Team. Sawyers shares that Leonard has been dancing since the age of three, while Putney and Weber have been dancing for the last 12 years. She adds that Leonard is also the current Class IV Solo Champion. Information on all three including dance history and what they love about dance can be found in this story online.

 

According to Sawyers, Addisyn Leonard has been dancing since age three, with a strong passion for ballet. She has performed in Ballet Des Moines’ Nutcracker since age five, holding many roles, including Clara! At 12, she attended the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive and has continued training at Ballet Des Moines’ summer programs, Colorado Ballet, and the Joffrey New York Pre-Professional Ballet Intensive. She currently trains about 15 hours per week and ballet remains her first love. She has been a member of the WCV High School Dance Team for the past two years and is an All-Iowa Honor Dance Team two-time nominee. Leonard is the current Class IV Solo Champion!

Sawyers says that this is Scarlett Putney’s 12th year of dance. She has been a member of the WCV High School Dance Team for the past two years and is an All-Iowa Honor Dance Team two-time nominee. She’s been competing in dance since she was in 3rd grade, and has three national championship titles at three different levels, got third in state as a freshman last year. Putney has attended many College Prep Clinics and looks forward to many more. Putney also has danced in Ballet DSM’s Nutcracker with several roles, including the role of Clara!

Sawyers mentions that Adalyn Weber has 12 years of experience in recreational studio dance and 10 years in competitive dance. She has been a member of the WCV High School Dance Team for the past three years. Her performance background includes dancing in Ballet Des Moines’ Nutcracker and earning the honor of being a three-time All-Iowa Honor Dance Team nominee. Additionally, she has received Division 1 ratings at the State Solo competition for two consecutive years. What Weber loves most about dance is the thrill of performing—whether on stage or the gym floor—and the joy of sharing that experience with so many amazing people.