Starting in 2013, when Battle High School opened, Coach Danyale Williams was the first coach of the Battle Dance Team, “The Spartan Sparklers”. After a few years in 2016, Coach Danyale Williams passed down the torch to Destiney Lockhart who then took over as the dance team. The COVID pandemics caused the dance team to decrease in members and come to an end. Since then, Coach Destiny has been teaching dance classes via Zoom. 

As of 2024 the coaches are working to start the Spartan Sparklers Dance team again and hope to gain as many participants as possible. Coach Destiney has always had a passion for dance and its basics. It allows her to teach all that she has learned from numerous dance artists, choreographers and teachers over the years.

 “I have studied many styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical and more,” says Lockhart. Destiney has so many memories of different events, football games, basketball games, competitions, recitals and showcases that she watched her team participate in.

 “The bond of the team is so incredible, and getting the chance to learn each dancer and to see the growth over the years is why I want to continue coaching this team,” says Lockhart. Her mission is to help grow the love for dance, encourage self confidence, and motivate individuals to stay positive and healthy. 

“I want to create a new way of learning and help those who want to advance in dance and those who want to begin to learn to dance all while providing an enjoyable and informational experience,” Lockhart says. This year she will work with her Assistant Coach Mrs. Thomasas Jernigan Frye, science teacher, to make this mission possible.

The coaches want Spartans to continue to spread the word and join dance team classes. If interested in joining or learning more about dance, please contact Head Coach Destiney Lockhart at [email protected] or Assistant Coach Mrs. Thomasas Jernigan Frye at [email protected].