The Fountain Valley High School Dance Team made program history this season at the West Coast Elite (WCE) Nationals competition, earning 1st place in Large Hip Hop and achieving the second-highest overall scoring routine out of 170 in the Silver category.
The Large Hip Hop team’s victory marks a monumental return to the top of the podium for Fountain Valley, with the title being the first time Large Hip Hop has secured a national championship since 2022, continuing the program’s streak of success following Small Hip Hop’s national championship in 2023.
WCE Nationals is one of the nation’s most prestigious high school competitions, with over 60 high school teams competing in various styles, including Hip Hop, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. To qualify for the Gala and ultimately win championships, a team must first compete in a preliminary round, where the top 20% of teams advance to the final round and compete for a spot on the podium.
The routine, choreographed by Coach Kelela Batinga, stood out for its high-energy music and intricate staging, beginning with the mysterious, upbeat theme of the “Twilight Zone” before transitioning into Travis Scott’s “The Plan.” Dancers commanded swirling black-and-white umbrellas with precision, creating visually striking moments that caught the judges’ eyes.
Fountain Valley’s team stands out for its size, with 43 dancers representing all four grade levels. Competing against groups with as few as 18 members, they demonstrated powerful unity and discipline, working hard to retain the routine’s cleanliness with the challenge of blending different dancers’ diverse movement styles and colors.
Results did not come overnight — the dancers have dedicated more than 40 hours of practice to mastering this routine since September, spending late-night practices amidst busy school schedules purely for their love of dancing. The team’s hard work was evident throughout the year. Before shining at the National stage, Large Hip Hop has placed within the top two routines at three different regional competitions just within this season.
“I am so proud of all of the dancers for working so hard throughout the entire season. This idea was risky with the props and theme, but it definitely paid off in the end, and we got those jackets,” Batinga said. “Congratulations to all my dancers for a wonderful season.”
Outside of competition season, the team performs at football games, school assemblies, and community events throughout the year.
FVHS Dance Team will be hosting their annual Spring Show on May 3, 2026, at 4:00 P.M. in the FVHS gym. Auditions for the 2026–2027 school year will be held from May 11th to 15th. To find information about the show and the audition process, scan the QR below: