Leading The Dance: Highlandette Captains on Pointe for Success
Five fierce captains are stepping up, bringing skill, energy and leadership to the Highlandette squad.
from Left to Right: Hayes Wilcox, Caroline Taylor, Maya Covington, Alyssa Mclemore, Eden Genova
This year’s Highlandette Drill Team at Lake Highlands High School is dancing into the spotlight with five remarkable captains who are ready to lead with grace and flair. Each captain brings their own unique rhythm and dedication, ensuring this season will be nothing short of spectacular. Let’s take a bow and meet the incredible leaders of the Highlandettes.
Maya Covington
In her third and final year with the Highlandettes, Maya has found a second home with the team. Dance, for her, is therapy—a way to express herself and find peace no matter what challenges arise. Her proudest moments come when stepping into formation, feeling the rush of adrenaline. “Never hold back,” she says, encouraging dancers to be themselves and fully embrace every moment.
Eden Genova
Eden's nine years of dance experience have shaped her into a confident and disciplined performer. Inspired by iconic dancers like the Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham companies, she feels dance offers a creative outlet and a way to push her physical boundaries. She’s proud of her team’s National Group Excellence award and values the leadership and accountability dance has taught her. Her advice? “Never give up, even when it gets hard.”
Alyssa Mclemore
Inspired by her mom, a former drill team dancer, Alyssa is in her third year with the Highlandettes. Her commitment has earned her numerous awards, including the Overall Highest Score Solo of The Day and a scholarship from Showtime International Dance. Alyssa cherishes how the team allows her to grow as both a dancer and a leader alongside her closest friends. Her advice for future Highlandettes? “Try out! You never know what can happen until you try.”
Caroline Taylor
A Highlandette since freshman year, Caroline's love for dance began in second grade and has blossomed through years of dedication. Before joining the drill team, she danced competitively at Danceology Studios. Taylor is inspired by her teammates, especially her friend Maya, and loves how dance allows her to leave behind stress and embody different characters. “The importance of found family” is a life lesson she treasures from being on the team. Her favorite memory? The thrill of waiting backstage during the spring show as the audience hushed in anticipation.
With 14 years of studio dance experience and two years on the Highlandettes, Hayes has developed a deep love for dance as a form of escape. She finds inspiration in her fellow captain Alyssa's humility and grace. A highlight of her journey was traveling through Austria on a summer tour with her studio, where she shared the art of dance across cultural boundaries. Her tip for future dancers? Work hard and take foundational classes to succeed in Highlandettes.
These five captains are truly in step with what it means to lead the Highlandettes. Each one brings their own unique moves and passion to the team, ensuring that this year’s performances will be a dazzling display of talent and teamwork. As they pirouette through this next year, they’ll leave an indelible mark on the Highlandettes’ legacy, proving that great leaders don’t just take the stage—they own it.