NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School’s dance team veteran Emily Hootsell represented her team in England last year, so 2017 was Emma Houge’s year to travel to London for the Lady Green Wave.

While both were selected to perform again this year, it was Hogue who chose to participate in London’s New Year’s Day Parade with the Universal Dance Association.

“It was a lot of fun,” Hogue said. “It was really relaxed, and it was fun to get to meet other people from different schools and other places.”

While overseas, Houge was away for nine days and did much more that just dance.

UDA participants are sectioned off into groups of 20-30 people and given tours around the city, and also receive freedom to do their own sightseeing on other days.

Hogue said she didn’t expect for the culture to be so unfamiliar.

“They don’t put ice in their drinks,” she said. “It’s weird. You have to ask for it,and when you do, they kind of look at you funny. A lot of things they do they are just different.”

In order to qualify to go to London, members of cheer and dance teams across the nation must first be selected as an All-American. Competition for the honor usually takes place between May and June at central locations called camps.

This year, Cathedral’s camp was a four-day long meeting in June at the University of Louisiana at Monroe with representation from approximately 13 schools.

Hootsell said to receive praise as an All-American, judges look specifically for accuracy and overall performance during each routine.

“We are practicing every day during the summer (to get All-American),” she said. “We all want to look good and perform to the best of our ability.”

Fisher Iseminger also received an All-American distinction, but was not eligible for the London trip since she is only a freshman.

“A lot is expected out of them,” Cathedral dance coach Paige Iseminger said. “They work extremely hard.”

For Hogue, her travels rounded out her senior season, all with Hootsell by her side.

“It’s sad (that this is our senior year),” Hootsell said. “When you’re on that field with those lights and everyone is cheering for you, it’s a once in a lifetime feeling.”

Hogue was also sennitmental about leaving Cathedral dance.

“We all get annoyed with each other sometimes, but we all really love each other,” Hogue said.