“Hello, dance team, so excited to meet you all” coach Kaitlyn Landeza captioned the photo of her newborn baby boy in the dance team group chat. After four regional competitions, the girls on the team said their temporary goodbyes to Landeza, who is now on maternity leave and will return to coach in April in time for auditions for next year’s team.

On March 29, the 12 girls representing dance team will be traveling to Anaheim for USA Nationals. The girls will compete six dances: three group dances, extra small, and two solos. They will be accompanied by a temporary coach, Toni Strout, who teaches at Noble Elementary School, has a bachelor’s degree in dance from San Jose State, and was on her school’s dance team when she was in high school.

Until Nationals, the girls plan to continue practicing their dances, and despite having to adapt to a change in leadership, they are excited for the last competition of the season.

“It’s been a great year, and I’m looking forward to what Nationals may hold,” junior captain Alexandra Li said.