Bob Graham Education Center’s dancers are National Champions.
Both the elementary and middle students showed off their skills at the 2026 Dance Nationals Contest of Champions held at the Universal Orlando Resort from Feb. 28 to March 1.
The squads came home with several awards including the national title in the junior high/middle school category for pom, which is dance with pom poms.
Coach Mayri Martinez said the competition was an opportunity for the Bobcats to showcase their talents on a national level and against the best dancers in the country.
The team was able to attend the contest after receiving a $1,500 grant from the Miami Lakes Town Foundation.
“We were incredibly blessed to receive the Town Foundation grant this year,” Martinez wrote in an email. “Without their support, the financial barrier to Nationals would have been too high for many of our families.”
The Miami Lakes Town Foundation awards grants annually to teachers, student projects and community programs for various causes, including beautification, math and music education and kindness.
It is funded by proceeds from the annual Miami Lakes Food & Wine Festival.
The middle school team received 2nd Place for their duet/trio performance; 2nd Place for their small ensemble performance and 2nd Place for lyrical.
The elementary dancers received 2nd Place for lyrical and 3rd Place for jazz.
Martinez called the achievements a “historic weekend for the BGEC dance program” in a media release from the school.
In the photo: The award-winning Bobcats. Back row from left: Teacher Mayri Martinez; Kaylee Arias; Brielle Andres; Layla Herrera; Jocelyn Casey; Sofia Garcia; Patricia Rodriguez; Victoria De Varona, Arantza Escalante; Emily Maldonado and Christian Martinez. Front row: Sophia Lorezon; Aria Bencomo; Annette Reynaldo; Ashley DeArmas; Naomi Garcia and Julia Espaillat; Brooke Chavez; Sophia Pardo; Valentina Perez and Allie Padron. Photo courtesy of the school.