As changes are being acknowledged around Bayshore High School, it's noticeable that the school's dance team, Honeybears and Bruins, are stepping it up.

Dance teacher and team coordinator Melecia Perren is definitely setting a standard and raising the bar for the team. Her motto this year is "every day, every time, full out." She expects 100 percent effort, and zero tolerance for slacking.

With a list of events to be announced, Honeybears and Bruins are sure to still be featured in the semi-annual showcases held by the dance department.

The usual fall show has been pushed back to December due to the exciting news that Honeybears has rejoined Bayshore's Golden Regiment as Marching Auxiliary, performing with band and color guard.

Only eight of the 20 girls are on auxiliary, including the five seniors and two underclassmen of the team. Mrs. Perren said Honeybears will be performing well through November, with the benefit of having more time to clean up choreography for the winter show.

Every show has a different theme, this winter show is inspired by Disney animation, which means more theatricality to go along with the dance numbers.

Leaders Lindsay and Alyssa said there's already a list of numbers for the show that needs to be cut down some more. A lot of songs mean more dancing, requiring real commitment to effort and practicing. Mrs. Perren isn't worried though, she quotes Frederick Douglas, 'Without struggle, there is no progress'.

The five seniors on the team are looking forward to a final year at Bayshore and on the team.

Dancers Olivia Stief and Lindsay Olson have been on the dance team all four years, Alyssa Atkinson three years, Shanice Ourk and Stefanie Garza two years.

Perren's really connected with her dancers, especially the seniors. She expects them to set the standard and be role models for the others on the team.

As for the team as a whole, Honeybears and Bruins are determined to have a great year, with the guidance and ambition of Mrs. Perren. "We practice hard, we go hard," she said. "Let's do this, we're giving it our all this year."