Bethesda Chevy Chase’s High School’s Ritmo Latino team delivered a top-tier performance on Feb. 23 for the MCPS After School Dance Fund Baila 4Life Latin Dance Competition. They took home six awards, including five first-place finishes.
The team showed their diverse talents in various dance styles, earning first place in Salsa, Bachata, Cha-Cha, Jack & Jill, and the Parent-Child Dance. Captain Eliza Anchecta also received the leadership award, recognizing her dedication and enthusiasm for the team.
Senior Captain Eliza Anchecta said, “Overall, it made me feel very happy, emotional, and especially very proud…winning six categories made me emotional because as a senior and as the longest member, this is one of our biggest successes… It was emotional that although it was my last it was many of these dancers’ first and I’m glad I was able to open this whole new world for them.”
Winning Performances in:
Salsa: 1st place (Group B). Camila Cordero & Fernando Angarita Medina.
Bachata: 1st place (Group B). Camila Cordero & Alexandra Lizarralde.
Cha-Cha: 1st place (Group B). Leonardo Loaiza & Penelope Frias.
Parent-Child Dance: 1st place (Group B). Penelope Frias and her Dad.
Jack & Jill (Improvisation and a random partner from another school): 1st place (single couple). Camila Cordero.
Full Group Dance: 2nd place (Group B).
Beyond the awards, the competition fostered a sense of community. Sophomore Co-captain Alexandra Lizarralde said, “The community and the adrenaline of being together not only with our dance team but with other teams. Talking with other dancers and being able to cheer for each other no matter the team is a hard thing to come by in competitive sports, and it’s one of the most important parts.”
Congratulations to Ritmo Latino for their incredible performance. Photos and videos of the performances can be found on the Ritmo Latino’s Instagram account @bcc_ritmolatino.
