Packed and rarin’ to go, the 43 members of the 2009-'10 Lake Highlands High School Highlandette Dance Team headed to New York City on January 15th.

It was a long weekend of sights, entertainment, and of course, dancing.

The reason for the trip? To take dance classes on Broadway.

And thanks to the team's ongoing commitment of selling the popular grocery store gift cards to long-time supporters, the girls were able to raise the money to make it to the Big Apple.

For the 'Dettes, this trip was a combination of learning and fun.

Upon arriving in NYC, the entire team and 19 parent chaperones headed to Times Square, where the group stayed for the duration of their visit.

Once settled, they dined at Bubba Gump’s and went on to see The Lion King.

Up Saturday morning, the team was treated to a private dance workshop at Broadway Dance Center, where they learned the moves of "Supercalifragilistic" from the popular musical, Mary Poppins. Dinner at B.B. King’s that night followed, and then the show West Side Story.

Sunday found the team at the world famous Alvin Ailey Studio. The girls participated in two classes - Afro Caribbean and West African Dance.

But it wasn’t just the ‘Dettes at the studio that day. Auditions were being held by Lady GaGa and according to one parent, “There was a big variety of people who came to audition. Interesting individuals...”

The show that night was Wicked, followed by a late dinner at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, famous for their singing waiters.

Monday morning found the girls once again having private lessons at the Broadway Dance Center.

Once done, they took a tour of the city that included Central Park, Strawberry Hill, the Apollo Theatre, the Empire State Building, and a viewing of Lady Liberty herself and Ground Zero. From there it was Canal Street and shopping in Little Italy and Soho.

In what little down time they had, the team split up into groups. They visited Rockefeller Center, the M & M store, Magnolia Bakery, which was made famous by the T.V. series Sex and the City, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, FAO Schwartz, and of course Tiffany’s.

Some of the girls stopped by the American Eagle clothing store where their picture was illuminated on a giant billboard over Times Square.

To cap off the trip, the ‘Dettes - in full uniform and among the large crowd gathered for all the viewing audience to see - visited with Meredith Viera of the Today Show at NBC!

The girls returned to Dallas this Tuesday, with incredible memories and experiences that will last them a lifetime.

Photos courtesy of Angel Cochran.