More than 160 students from nine Montgomery County high schools took the stage Sunday at Seneca Valley High School for the 2024-25 Annual Latin Dance Junior Division Competition.
The competition, a tradition since 1999, featured performances in seven categories: cha-cha, merengue, bachata, salsa, parent/student, Jack and Jill, and best in show/group.
The event celebrated dance, culture and student leadership, bringing together a diverse community for an evening of spirited performances.
The After School Dance Fund, a nonprofit that supports the creation of after-school Latin dance programs, sponsored the competition by providing artistic, technical and financial assistance.
Seneca Valley Principal Ricardo Hernandez welcomed attendees, emphasizing the event’s role in fostering community and recognizing student achievement.
Montgomery County Board of Education members in attendance included President Julie Yang, Vice President Grace Rivera-Oven, Student Member Praneel Suvarna and newly elected member Laura Stewart.
Schools competed in two divisions, with winners announced in each category:
Group A Winners:
Cha-cha: First Place: Damascus High School, Second Place: Rockville High School, Third Place: Walter Johnson School
Merengue: First Place: Rockville High School, Second Place: Walter Johnson High School, Third Place: Damascus High School
Bachata: First Place: Walter Johnson High School, Second Place: Damascus High School,Third Place: Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Salsa: First Place: Damascus High School, Second Place: Rockville High School, Third Place: Walter Johnson High School
Parent/Student: First Place: Col. Zadok Magruder High School,Second Place: Rockville High School, Third Place: Damascus High School
Best in Show/Group: First Place: Rockville High School, Second Place: Col. Zadok Magruder High School, Third Place: Walter Johnson High School
Group B Winners:
Cha-cha: First Place: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Second Place: Wheaton High School
Merengue: First Place: Winston Churchill High School,Second Place: Wheaton High School, Third Place: Sherwood High School
Bachata: First Place: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Second Place: Wheaton High School, Third Place: Winston Churchill High School
Salsa: First Place: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Second Place: Sherwood High School, Third Place: Wheaton High School
Parent/Student: First Place: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Second Place: Winston Churchill High School, Third Place: Sherwood High School
Best in Show/Group: First Place: Wheaton, Second Place: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Third Place: Sherwood High School
The Jack and Jill competition winners were Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Damascus. In dance competitions, Jack and Jill is a format where competitors are randomly paired with a partner before performing.
Photo courtesy MCPS
