Swerve 2026 boasts record number of teams, two nights of dancing magic at MC

Swerve performers from various MC student organizations perform five-minute routines packed with energy and humor in an electric atmosphere.

The New Kids dance team at Mississippi College appears to be an unstoppable force, blending impeccable choreography and awe-inspiring moves to earn four consecutive Swerve championships.

This year, more teams than ever – a total of 16 – will be taking the Swerve stage, many looking to take the crown from the New Kids during the annual competition that lets MC students showcase their dancing skills while helping to benefit their designated charities.

For the first time, there will be two shows: one for MC students at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, and one for the general public at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27. Both performances will take place in Swor Auditorium in Nelson Hall.

Jadi Foster, director of student engagement at MC, said Swerve has never been more popular.

“There is always such demand for tickets: we had to add another performance to accommodate the requests,” Foster said. “Each team has been working tirelessly for months. Some teams even started planning their routines over the previous summer.

“Audiences can expect 16 fun-filled, high-energy dance performances with great music and exciting themes.”

Swerve performers come from various MC student organizations. They perform five-minute routines packed with energy and humor in an electric atmosphere.

Acts may range from a swing dance team to hip-hop, classical and modern-dance performances. Routines are set to popular music, from Disney favorites and nostalgic throwbacks to more contemporary releases.

Emily McNemar of Flowood, a senior English major, competed in Swerve as a freshman. A member of the Kissimee women’s tribe and a director for Student Productions, the group that organizes the event, she said the dance competition is one of her favorite things about MC.

“I was on the dance team at my high school and was so excited to hear that there was an opportunity for me to continue dancing throughout college,” McNemar said. “People really get into Swerve, and I think that's what makes it so enjoyable. People take it seriously and want to win. I'm excited about this year because it's my last and I want to make it count.”

Noah Kackley, a sophomore accounting major from Brandon, will be participating in his second dance competition. As a Swerve chair for the Kokoa men’s service club, he has been busy this spring preparing for the 2026 competition.

“The best part about Swerve is how much fun it is to practice behind the scenes and to perform on stage,” Kackley said. “Audiences come to see the energy that the organizations bring to the stage, the excitement and the actual choreography itself. Kokoa's goals for Swerve 2026 are to have fun with each other, do things that we haven't done before, and give the audience a great time, regardless of who wins."

As a Swerve co-chair of New Kids, Mary Katherine Zorn, a junior kinesiology/pre-occupational therapy major from Madison, has a loftier goal – keep the string of victories rolling.

“We want to grab the attention of our audience and create a unique show different from all of the rest,” Zorn said. “We have spent hours working on cleaning and perfecting the show, and I cannot wait to see our friends and hear them cheering from the audience as we perform.”

All 16 teams will perform on both nights of Swerve. Doors will open 30 minutes before show time. Tickets cost $12 each, and all proceeds will go to the top three winners’ philanthropies of choice.

To purchase tickets, visit www.mc.edu/students/policies/events-activities/swerve.