Celebrating Dance and Excellence

The 24th Annual After School Dance Fund (ASDF) Baila4Life Latin Dance Competition was a spectacular display of talent and passion as hundreds of Montgomery County students gathered at The Music Center at Strathmore for a day filled with rhythm, energy and dance. Supported by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the event brought together dancers from various high schools for an unforgettable celebration of movement and competition.

The Nov. 25 event featured various Latin dance categories, including cha-cha, merengue, bachata, salsa, parent-student duets and group performances. The competition provided a platform for dancers to showcase skills, creativity and teamwork, with schools from all over the region competing for top honors in each category.

WinnersCouples/Duets: CHA-CHA
1st – Gaithersburg HS
2nd – Albert Einstein HS
3rd – Northwest HS
Couples/Duets: MERENGUE
1st – Gaithersburg HS
2nd – Quince Orchard HS
3rd – Albert Einstein HS

Couples/Duets: BACHATA
1st – Clarksburg HS
2nd – Gaithersburg HS
3rd – Seneca Valley HS

Couples/Duets: SALSA
1st – Gaithersburg HS
2nd – Seneca Valley HS
3rd – Quince Orchard HS

Couples/Duets: PARENT-STUDENT
1st – Quince Orchard HS
2nd – Seneca Valley HS
3rd – Albert Einstein HS

Group: BEST IN SHOW
1st – Gaithersburg HS
2nd – Albert Einstein HS
3rd – Clarksburg HS

JACK & JILL
Gaithersburg HS and Seneca Valley HS

Community Awards
During the event, several community leaders were recognized for their contributions. Grace Rivera-Oven, Board of Education Member for District 1, received the Dr. Judy Docca Public Service Award. Rosa Isabel Mensah, principal of Rolling Terrace Elementary School, received the Administrator Award, and Isabel Argoti, Titanes Salseros alumna, was honored with the Trawick Inspiration Award.

"The Latino community is not a monolithic community, but this is what brings us together: music. That is something we all enjoy and can all participate in," said Rivera-Oven.