Johnna Palmese has never taken part in any other sport besides dancing, and it is a deep-rooted and longstanding passion that has carried her to great prominence-both during her time with Branford High School and at Hofstra University.

The Branford Class of 2020 graduate started dance at an incredibly young juncture of 18 months old. From there, she grew into a great affinity for the sport and joined both the Walsh Middle School squad and the Hornets’ squad later in high school.

Yet in January 2023, Johnna and her Hofstra University dance squad competed at the 2023 Universal Dance Association (UDA) Dance Team National Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Johnna was part of a Lions’ team that captured their 10th national crown overall and the program’s first crown in the Game Day Division.

“Hofstra had won titles in both the Hip Hop and Pom divisions, but we wanted to reach new heights and go a different route,” says Johnna. “The Game Day Division combines school spirit, chants, and sideline-type routines. It was a category we had never won before; we had placed second in it every year since 2020. So for us to finally win in the category was really special with the effort we put in.”

In providing a deeper dive into the world of collegiate competitive dance, Johnna exclaims that there is no offseason, and the Lions’ long road to Nationals begins during the dog days of summer, with round-the-clock practicing and showing their stuff in front of judges.

“Our team never has a break; we plan and prepare for Nationals the second we get off the plane,” Johnna says. “It is a challenging road, but we love to do it. We take part in UDA camp during the summer and show the judges our routines, and produce a score to qualify for Nationals. There are days we spend from 8 a.m. to midnight to perfect every routine. The Game Day Division competition gets harder every year, so we were really proud of ourselves to take the gold this year.”

The sport itself is quite unique, as there are no second chances, like with multiple at-bats in a baseball game or several shots at the hoop on a basketball court. Yet when it all comes together in the most pristine fashion, Johnna takes joy in watching the showing with her teammates.

“Dance is such a subjective sport; you do not have multiple chances to score. It is a one-shot deal,” says Johnna. “The judges don’t see the hours of practice we put in. They only see the 2-3 minute routine. You have to be confident in your body and training. I love getting to watch the playback of our routines afterward; it is heartwarming when we are hugging each other while watching it.”

Johnna holds herself to the same lofty standard individually that her squad does after reaching the double-digit threshold of national titles. She also explains that it can be very challenging to manage your time while balancing the books, body, and proper training.

“As a team with now 10 national titles, we hold ourselves to a high standard,” Johnna says. “Time management is demanding. It is about making sure you are keeping your body healthy and in shape, in addition to balancing sports and academics.”

The foundation for Johnna’s collegiate passion, pride, and fire was forged during her tenure as a Branford Hornet, which included a sixth-place showing at Nationals when she was a sophomore. She adds that serving as a senior captain truly helped mold her into the person and leader she is currently.

“My time with Branford was very enjoyable,” Johnna says. “I made great friends and connections that I still look back on to this very day. Everything I did then was for the team. I was lucky enough to be a captain, which taught me a lot about leadership. Finishing sixth at Nationals as a sophomore was well deserved; it was a performance that would still be top 6 today. My time there really helped me grow into the person I am today. It was a very positive and fun four years for me.”

Both of Branford’s dance coaches, Jacqui Montano and Megan Palluzzi, express how much of a pleasure Johnna was to mentor as an athlete and leader—making it all the more satisfying to see her sink her teeth into newfound gold.

“Johnna is an athlete that lifts up her teammates, creates laughs and memories, and brings everyone together — all while she is working her hardest to keep improving herself and never giving up an ounce of dedication or commitment,” says Montano. “It was an incredibly proud moment to watch her perform on a national level and win the gold that she is so deserving of, and we are proud to call her a Branford Dance Team Alumni.”

Palluzzi also emphasizes the hard work and dedication that Johnna puts into dance on a day-to-day basis.

“To watch Johnna win a college national championship was absolutely incredible. She works so hard and never gives up on herself or her teammates. Getting to see our alumni on college teams is something so special, and then to win is a whole other level,” adds Palluzzi.

While working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Johnna never wants to leave the dance floor behind her since it has become synonymous with her life. No matter what the future yields, Johnna knows she wants to keep all doors open and all options on the table.

“I have been dancing since I was about 2, so I would love to keep dancing post-college,” says Johnna. “I am working very hard to get my Bachelor’s Degree. I am hoping to come out of college and have many different pathways I can go down. I want to figure out how to do something that incorporates all facets of my life. I do not want to stop dancing.”