Students from Pinewood Avenue Elementary School in Tujunga danced their way into first place during the 10th annual Conga Kids Dance Championship, where they beat out nearly 9,000 fellow fifth graders representing 99 elementary schools from across Southern California.
The dance contest for the 2025-2026 school year was held at The Novo theater at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. Pinewood Elementary’s 10-member team, representing the LA Unified School District (LAUSD), and other participating students performed five partnership dances: cumbia, salsa, hip hop, Bollywood and the Charleston.
This year’s competition marked the 10th year of Conga Kids. The nonprofit program, which primarily serves students of color in underserved communities, aims to support students’ social and emotional learning through the art of dance.
Participating school districts include LAUSD, El Monte, Hacienda La Puente, Inglewood, Anaheim Elementary, Rosemead, Mountain View, Lancaster, Pomona and Vista Charter.
“We are so proud of our students,” said Barbara Garcia Vera, executive director of Conga Kids. “Because of Conga Kids, students have a unique access to experience dance and the arts in a whole new way – setting a foundation for respect, teamwork, confidence, leadership and intergenerational connection.”
The second-place trophy for this year’s competition was awarded to Community Magnet Elementary in LA (also a LAUSD school), and Los Altos Elementary in Hacienda Heights (Hacienda La Puente) placed third.
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was on hand for the event, which also honored several educators and community members for their commitment to the families and constituents they serve.
For more information about Conga Kids, go to: www.CongaKids.org.