Hundreds of Southern California elementary school students will compete Thursday in a dance championship at The Novo at L.A. Live, marking the 10th anniversary of the Conga Kids program.
Organizers said the event will feature about 200 fifth-grade finalists selected from roughly 9,000 students across school districts in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties.
“Conga Kids teaches students social and emotional learning through the vessel of dance,” organizers said in a statement.
“Students perform five partnership dances: Cumbia, Salsa, Charleston, Hip Hop and Bollywood. Through Conga Kids, students have a unique access to experience music and the arts in a whole new way — setting a foundation for respect, teamwork, confidence, leadership and intergenerational connection.”
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was expected to attend the event, along with educators and community leaders who will be recognized for their work supporting students and families.
Conga Kids officials said the program has expanded in recent years and now serves nearly 60,000 students in 23 school districts, many of them in underserved communities.
Fifteen schools are scheduled to compete in the finals:
— Loara Elementary (Anaheim Elementary School District);
— Orange Grove Elementary (Anaheim Elementary School District);
— Durfee School (El Monte City School District);
— Cleminson School (El Monte City School District);
— Grazide Elementary (Hacienda La Puente Unified School District);
— Los Altos Elementary (Hacienda La Puente Unified School District);
— Woodworth-Monroe Academy (Inglewood Unified School District);
— Community Magnet Charter School (Los Angeles Unified School District);
— Pinewood Avenue Elementary (Los Angeles Unified School District);
— Parkview School (Mountain View School District);
— Alcott Elementary (Pomona Unified School District);
— Kingsley Elementary (Pomona Unified School District);
— Pantera Elementary (Pomona Unified School District);
— Mildred B. Jason Elementary School (Rosemead School District); and
— Palm Lane Global Academy Anaheim (Vista Charter Public Schools).
Organizers said several educators and community leaders will also be honored during the event:
— Visionary Award: Dr. James Morris, county administrator, Inglewood Unified School District;
— Visionary Award: Dr. Yadira Moreno, assistant superintendent, Anaheim Elementary School District;
— Community Hero Award: state Sen. Lena A. Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus; and
— Legacy Award: CJ Johnson, president and CEO of Mechanics Bank.