Mid-Prairie Dance Seniors Shine at National Competition

Four high school dancers from Iowa's Mid-Prairie school district competed at the Dance Team Union nationals in Orlando.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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On a recent radio program, hosts spoke with four senior members of the Mid-Prairie High School dance team - Ariel Kaufmann, Drea McCain, Paige Malichski, and Meadow Flynn - about their recent trip to the Dance Team Union national competition in Orlando, Florida. This was the second part of a two-part interview covering the students' experiences at the prestigious national event.

Why it matters

High school dance teams provide important extracurricular opportunities for students to develop their skills, build confidence, and represent their schools and communities. The Mid-Prairie dancers' qualification for and participation in the national competition is a significant achievement that highlights the strength of their program and the dedication of the students.

The details

The four Mid-Prairie seniors competed as part of their high school's dance team at the Dance Team Union national competition in Orlando. The Dance Team Union is one of the top national organizations for high school dance teams, hosting an annual competition that draws talented dancers from across the country.

  • The interview aired on March 6, 2026.
  • The Mid-Prairie dancers recently traveled to Orlando for the national competition.

The players

Ariel Kaufmann

A senior member of the Mid-Prairie High School dance team.

Drea McCain

A senior member of the Mid-Prairie High School dance team.

Paige Malichski

A senior member of the Mid-Prairie High School dance team.

Meadow Flynn

A senior member of the Mid-Prairie High School dance team.

Mid-Prairie High School

The school district that the dancers attend and represent.

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What they’re saying

“This was such an amazing experience for our team. We worked so hard and it was an honor to compete at the national level.”

— Ariel Kaufmann, Mid-Prairie High School Dance Team Senior (kciiradio.com)

“Representing our school and community at the Dance Team Union nationals was a dream come true. We're so proud of what we accomplished.”

— Drea McCain, Mid-Prairie High School Dance Team Senior (kciiradio.com)

What’s next

The Mid-Prairie dance team is expected to hold a celebratory event for the community to recognize the seniors' national competition achievement.

The takeaway

The success of the Mid-Prairie High School dance team at the national competition demonstrates the value of extracurricular activities in developing well-rounded students and showcasing the talents of young people in local communities.