History - The Lake Central Centralettes were originally organized as the pom pon team at Dyer Central High School in Dyer, Indiana. In 1967 the school move to newly constructed Lake Central High School in the town of St. John. Prior to the start of the 2003-04 school year the Centralettes were under the administration of the band department. Performing as a pom team with the marching band, the band director tried transitioning the Centralettes to a color guard in 1989.

In 1990, under the leadership of band director Matt Barmore. Mr. Kevin Mathis was hired as the team's new director. Mr. Barmore's tenure with the Tribe of Pride Marching Band was short lived. In mid semester of his second year, he resigned. With the future of the band program uncertain, the Centralettes dance program dodged a bullet and was allowed to retain its pom/dance team identity.

With the hiring of new band director, Mr. John C. Cook, the Centralettes took on the responsibility as a full time color guard and part time pom/dance team. Under the leadership of Mr. Mathis, the team grew from only 6 returning members to upwards of 60 members. The Centralettes quickly emerged as a formidable force in ISSMA, IHSCGA and WGI. They earned top honors in state, regional and national competitions. While the color guard program grew to become recognized as one of the top programs in the country, the pom team continued to perform at basketball games.

Frustrated with the lack of opportunities available for the pom team to compete, in the winter of 1994; Mr. Mathis organized the Lake Central Dance Invitational. Over thirty (30) Indiana teams participated in the 1st LCDI. It was this event which lead to his founding of the Indiana High School Dance Team Association (IHSDTA) in the summer of 1994. The IHSDTA is now recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious state dance organizations in the country. In less than a decade, it has nurtured several regional and national UDA, NDA, MA and other champions.

After 5 years of supporting 3 competition seasons per year the band director (John C. Cook), principal (William Trujillo) and Centralettes Director (Kevin Mathis) all agreed to discontinue the winter color guard program. The following year in 1998, the Centralettes won their first National Dance Team Championship.

In the spring of 2003, the Centralettes separated from the band department and became an independent activity at Lake Central High School. While the team has undergone many adjustments since 1989, it continues to maintain its identity as one of the most talented high school dance teams in the country. Since the Centralettes began competing in 1994, they have been crowned state champions 1995-2003 and national champions in 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The Centralettes wish to thank all past and current Centralettes who have contributed to our remarkable history. We would also like to thank our parents and community who never stopped believing in us.

A sincere thank you to Mr. Mathis for recognizing the importance of dance when it seemed we were on the brinks of elimination. Thank you for your committment to elevating our level of opportunity in dance education, dedication to the development of valuable life skills, and, the relentless preservation of our team tradition. The Centralettes now have many past members who have chosen dance as a career and are now performing, teaching and studying dance all over the country.