By Kailea Stoltzfus Sports Editor
formidable friends
Their superpowers are constantly on display as you watch Josie Crank and Sloane Beasley dance across the stage as a spirited hip-hop dancer and passionate ballerina. Known for their iconic friendship, they lead their dance team with confidence, quality leadership, and spunky choreography.
These young women took the lead as co-presidents of their dance team where they were responsible for choreographing dances all the way through the spring dance show “Level Up”, maintaining the high standard the advanced dance team is known for, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
At first, they were English class acquaintances in their freshman and sophomore year, as different as Harley Quinn and Black Widow, the powerful women characters they resonate with. Dance created the opportunity for them to connect and meet as many people as possible.
Crank has taken yearbook and dual immersion history during her time at PRHS.
Beasley has been in leadership for three years and a welcoming link leader for incoming freshmen since her junior year.
Both girls are in the Global Environmental Options (G.E.O.) class and have enjoyed two hikes to Montana de Oro and Cerro Alto, with their fellow peers, and have been in Advanced Dance for four years.
Through the diverse nature of their classes they’ve realized the importance of meeting new people.
“It’s so important to build as many connections in high school as possible, Josie and I helped introduce each other to so many new people and just made friends with everyone,” Beasley said.
Off the dance floor, they continue to support each other by being happy for each other even when they aren’t doing things together. Despite having different personalities, friend groups and dance styles, they are able to work towards the same goal.
“We really love getting food together, getting ready for events together and honestly just our late night conversations are meaningful, too,” Crank said.
Even though Crank enjoys hip-hop and Beasley focuses on lyrical ballet, they have fused their strengths together, most recognizable in the Hypnosis Dance in the Level Up dance show on the weekend of March 6, 2025.
Beasley captures the emotion of her dances with her facial expressions and movements. She is a bold and confident dancer, alongside her best friend. As the music switched from "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus to "Like a G6" by Far East Movement, in the show, Cranks forward presence on the dance floor shifted the energy with her powerful and energetic moves.
“Our dance had a lot of fluid movements and was very controlled. It was definitely hard at moments to choreograph but Sloane and I fed off each other’s energy in the studio,” Crank said.
Before they became close in their junior year, both girls didn’t expect to ever be friends. Since realizing how they can connect with each other despite their differences, they see the importance of connecting with even more people in their community.
“You have the option to be really judgy or you can collaborate, and in dance our enthusiasm has created a strong dance community,” Crank said.
Their charismatic and creative personalities will continue their journey in Arizona in the fall, Crank is majoring in Business Communications at Arizona State University and Beasley is pursuing cosmetology at Paul Mitchell School.