The Mesquite Toes Tap Team traveled to Las Vegas on Sep. 27 to compete in the Nevada Senior Games. The ladies set out with one goal in mind, to bring home the winning gold medals and that is exactly what they did.
This group of men and women were set and ready to go. Carpools were arranged, numbers were painstakingly rehearsed, costumes were packed and makeup was put on before they left their homes. The 100 mile trip to the Clark County Library Theatre was the ride that got them together, psyched up and ready to compete.
Once the very large and anxious group of competitors along with their cheerleading squad of friends and family members arrived things began to get a bit sketchy.
Organization of the event left most of the competitors confused at best and was frustrating for the Mesquite travelers who lugged suitcases filled with their costumes down to the Clark County Library for the competition and were left standing outside for a while before they were allowed into the library theater. The Toes quickly adjusted, took charge of the situation and regained their “footing.” The rocky start didn’t deter them one little bit from doing their best at the Nevada Senior Games.
Competition was stiff; many of the competitors were professional dancers but even that didn’t scare off our Mesquite ladies in the least. Once on stage the Mesquite Toes performers were all glamour and glitz but not nearly as much as when they were going home. The ladies lugged back 43 medals for the Senior Games, 32 of the medals were gold. Gold medals were won for Gold Team, Red Team, Clog Team, Solo and Duo categories.
The Mesquite Toes ladies… and men, although nearly 100 miles from home, weren’t alone. The cheering section lead by Sandy Sorenson and Jean Johnson could have been heard clear to Mesquite. Husbands and friends couldn’t help cheering for these hometown heroines who captivated the audience with charm, personality and color the minute they took the stage then impressed the judges the moment their toes started to tap.
This was the first year the Toes have competed in the Senior Games and if you know Vicki Eckman at all, you know that this won’t be their last. Eckman is the fearless leader of the Toes and has taken her groups to perform in venues such as cruise ships and the New York Knicks basketball game half time show.
The Nevada Senior Games is just one more venue that proves, all that glitters is not just gold, it’s the Toes, with the sparkle and shine they always wear, and now all those Gold Medals around their necks.
So proud of our “toes”. Great report – Great pictures – Great dancers.
Thanks for keeping your readers in the loop.
As an audience participant and a new member of the Toes who did not dance but was excited all the same about this competition, I gotta say I enjoyed the show! There were top-notch teams and fantastic costumes and some pretty impressive dancing all around. But my fellow Toes were every bit deserving the numerous medals they won. They were and are top-notch and I’m so proud of them and all their good work they do for the City of Mesquite and elsewhere. I’m happy and privileged to call myself a member of the Mesquite Toes. You rock!
Judy Mae
so proud of my sis Judy Brittain !