Bingham drill team stays active, thrives in competition, service to others

By Billy Swartzfager | [email protected]

The Bingham drill team is known for its fantastic routines and captivating performances. Last year, the team placed first in its region, second in state and went on to take the top spot at the national competition. So, the dancers on the team and the coaches are familiar with success. 

According to the team’s head coach, Jamyn Miller, the Minerettes are hardworking young ladies whose familiarity with success is the result of their dedication. 

“This team is extremely talented,” Miller said, “They have pushed themselves and improved as individuals and as dancers.”

The drill team stays busy throughout the year, attending summer camps, getting through survivor week in the fall and performing frequently at games during football season. But, the Minerettes’ competition season is what the team looks forward to the most. 

Last season, the team placed first in every competition it entered other than the state event. So far this year, Bingham is still competing at a high level. It has placed first in the dance and military aspects of its routine at the UVU Invitational on Dec 3. The Minerettes took first in dance and second in both military and kick portions at the Premier Drill Classic on Jan 7. 

The team is led by a lot of young ladies, but a handful of juniors and seniors particularly stand out, leading the group and serving in an officer capacity as well. Senior Savannah Morris is team president. Lexi Mireles and Kaelee Graham, both seniors, are dance captains. Megan Berube, also a senior is the team’s secretary, and Cassie Robinson is the team historian. Lauren Bagley, a senior, and Makenna Lockhart, a junior, serve as costume chairs for the Minerettes, while Taegan Evans serves as the social chair in her senior year. Mary Timmer and Isabella King, who are both juniors, head up the fundraising department.

“Each office is essential to making our program successful,” Miller said. “The officers and their parents are incredible and do so much for the team.”

One of the goals of the team this year, aside from performing well in competitions, has been to focus on serving others. During the summer, the team taught dance lessons for several weeks to Burundi refugees. The Minerettes just finished providing the same refugees with holiday gifts during December as well. Each year, the team also is involved in a 5k, which honors former Bingham drill alumni Astra Waller. The team donates a portion of the proceeds each year to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“I love that they can be all about service,” Miller said. “It’s been wonderful to see them take time serving others. It’s been wonderful to see this team think of others and put so much in to service.”

With the help of coaches and other who support the team, the girls are getting top-notch training to compete with class in drill events and in life. The young ladies on the team start their day practicing at 6 a.m. They must maintain good grades to stay active on the team and are expected to give their all every time out, as there are many other young ladies relying on each other every day. According to Miller, drill is where the team can learn how to prepare physically and mentally to do their best. They learn punctuality, responsibility and accountability by being a part of the drill team. They also learn teamwork and how to be their best selves.

“Drill is a sport that makes these young ladies better dancers but also better people,” Miller said.