Vicksburg High Band and Gator Girls earn top honors at recent competitions

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg High School Band and Gator Girls Dance Team have earned top honors at their last two competitions, bringing home superior ratings and first-place awards in back-to-back events.

The Gator Girls Dance Team, led by Head Coach Monica Williams, competed Thursday in Heidelberg, Mississippi, and again Saturday at the Mississippi High School Activities Association State Evaluation Competition at Jones College. The team received superior honors at both events.

Kaitlin Davis serves as the Head Captain of the Gator Girls, with Diamond Jackson as Co-Captain. Other dancers include Erin-Grace Smith, Akeela Heard, Tonia Taylor, Kimora Hardiman, Ra’Niya Knight, Makenzie Sessions, Na’Keiya Larry, Antria McWilliams, Romona Valentine, Allison Brinner, and Aubrey Turner. The team is also supported by Assistant Coach Eddie Howard III and team manager K-Danecia Mitchell.

The Vicksburg High School Band also excelled, winning overall first place in Heidelberg and receiving superior honors at the state evaluation at Jones College. At state, the band earned top marks in every category: Dance (1), Color Guard (1), Drum Major (1), Percussion (2), and Band (1,1,1), for an overall first-place rating.

The band is directed by Johnathan Nelson, with assistant directors Vickie Baker Hopkins, Kendra Lee, Rhemarcus Lee, Levonta Holland, and Brandon Dorsey.

“We want to thank our administrators, parents, and community for all of the incredible love and support you’ve shown us this season,” the band and dance team said in a joint statement. “Please continue to support us as we cheer on our football team for the rest of the season.”