Highlight Leah Hill and her teammates earned first place in the 4A division for their performance of Kaleidoscope.

Teams from around the state traveled to Pendleton and Salem for competitions as the local dance competition schedule winds down.

Hermiston, Oregon City, Lebanon, Sprague, and Stayton captured first place in their respective divisions in week five.

Sprague competition:

Stayton earned first place (15.89) in the 4A division for its performance of “Kaleidoscope.”

Following the competition, Highlight Captain Leah Hill reflected on her team’s win: “The Sprague competition is something I look forward to every year. Spending the day watching and supporting so many teams was something I had missed over the past couple of years. Getting to end the day by taking home first place was the most rewarding feeling. We got to see our hard work pay off. Seeing my teammates faces light up when they announced our name is something I will never forget. I can’t wait to get back in the gym with my teammates and work hard over the next few weeks to achieve this feeling again!”

Philomath finished second (13.78) and Gladstone (12.47) was third. Competing for the first time this season, Amity finished in fourth (10.89). Woodburn (10.50) rounded out the division.

Lebanon earned another first place finish (15.28) in the 5A division. West Albany was second (14.94) followed closely by Silverton (14.61) in third place. South Albany (13.56) and Thurston rounded out the division (12.28).

Performing for the home audience, the Sprague Olyannes earned first place in the Show Division (16.56).

Oregon City grabbed the top spot in the 6A division (13.50). West Salem finished second (11.67).

Pendleton competition:

The Pendleton competition offers a unique opportunity for high school, middle school, and club teams from Eastern Oregon to compete locally.

In the high school team competition, Hermiston, which is a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, captured first place in the Show (16.96), Hip Hop (17.17), and Dance (18.33) divisions.

Grant Union finished second (15.89) in the Dance division with its performance of “The Bones.”

The winter dance local competition schedule concludes with events hosted by Centennial, David Douglas, and Thurston on March 5.