The 2023 Annual MCPS Latin dance competition was held Nov. 20 at the Music Center at Strathmore.
Sixteen Montgomery County High Schools competed in the Junior and Senior divisions. B-CC, Clarksburg, Damascus, Einstein, Gaithersburg, Northwest, Northwood, Paint Branch, Quince Orchard, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Sherwood, Springbrook, Walter Johnson, Watkins Mill and Wheaton.
The annual After School Latin Dance Fund/Baila4Life Latin dance competition has been taking place at the Music Center at Strathmore since 2010 and is the culmination of Montgomery County’s elite high school Latin Dance program, which started in 1999 at Seneca Valley High School. The main objective is strengthening students’ social and emotional well-being and promoting health, exercise, and cultural unity through Latin Dance Education. Over 300 students will be competing, according to the organization.
JUNIOR DIVISION WINNERS (LDT = Latin Dance Team)
CHACHA DUETS/COUPLES
1. Seneca Valley HS, “Sensacion LDT”
2. Wheaton HS, “Corazon Latino LDT”
MERENGUE DUETS/COUPLES
1. Seneca Valley HS, “Sensacion LDT”
2. Rockville HS, “Ritmo LDT”
3. Paint Branch HS, “Panteros Bailadores LDT” (First Time Participants)
BACHATA DUETS/COUPLES
1. Seneca Valley HS, “Sensacion LDT”
2. Walter Johnson HS, “Pasion Latino LDT”
3. Paint Branch HS, ” Panteros Bailadores LDT” (First Time Participants)
SALSA DUETS/COUPLES
1. Seneca Valley HS, “Sensacion LDT”
2. Walter Johnson HS, “Pasion Latino LDT”
3. Bethesda Chevy Chase HS, “Ritmo Latino LDT”
PARENT/STUDENT
1. Seneca Valley HS, “Sensacion LDT”
2. Rockville HS, “Ritmo LDT”
3. Walter Johnson HS, “Pasion Latino LDT
BEST IN SHOW/GROUP
1. Seneca Valley HS, “Sensacion LDT”
2. Rockville HS, “Ritmo LDT”
3. Paint Branch HS, ” Panteros Bailadores LDT” (First Time Participants)
SENIOR DIVISION WINNERS (LDT = Latin Dance Team)
CHACHA DUETS/COUPLES
1. Gaithersburg HS, “Sabor Latino LDT”
2. Quince Orchard HS, “Juntos LDT”
3. Einstein HS, “Titanes Salseros LDT”
MERENGUE DUETS/COUPLES
1. Watkins Mill HS, “OLAS LDT”
2. Gaithersburg HS, “Sabor Latino LDT”
3. Clarksburg HS, “Xtreme LDT”
BACHATA DUETS/COUPLES
1. Gaithersburg HS, “Sabor Latino LDT”
2. Clarksburg HS, “Xtreme LDT”
3. Einstein HS, “Titanes Salseros LDT”
SALSA DUETS/COUPLES
1. Einstein HS, “Titanes Salseros LDT”
2. Gaithersburg HS, “Sabor Latino LDT”
3. Clarksburg HS, “Xtreme LDT”
PARENT/STUDENT
1. Einstein HS, “Titanes Salseros LDT”
2. Clarksburg HS, “Xtreme LDT”
3. Gaithersburg HS, “Sabor Latino LDT”
BEST IN SHOW/GROUP
1. Gaithersburg HS, “Sabor Latino LDT”
2. Einstein HS, “Titanes Salseros LDT”
3. Clarksburg HS, “Xtreme LDT”
The 2023 Awardees:
1. Jorge and Jose Galvan, MCPS Alumni “Baila4Life Trawick Inspiration Award”
2. Vilma C. Najera, Baila4Life School Administrator/Principal Award”
3. Karla Silvestre, “Baila4Life Public Service Award”
