The Oregon School Activities Association held its annual dance/drill state championships at the Salem Pavilion on March 20 and 21, where Clackamas High School’s Cavalettes earned their first Traditional state championship. The event marked the end of the 2026 dance/drill season with performances from teams across multiple categories.
The OSAA championships are significant for high school dancers in Oregon, providing a platform to showcase their skills and compete for state titles. The competition also highlights the dedication of coaches, athletes, and families who support these programs throughout the year.
This year’s event included rehearsals for the Grand Finale tradition, where all teams performed together to “One Singular Sensation” from A Chorus Line. Anne Ellett, head coach of Centennial Hi-C’s Dance Team, was recognized during Saturday’s rehearsal for her sixty years of coaching. Organizers credited Ellett as instrumental in establishing dance/drill as an activity within Oregon schools.
New teams such as North Bend, Mountain View, and Jesuit participated this year, while Molalla returned after a ten-year absence. Scappoose won its first OSAA championship in Traditional (1A-4A), narrowly beating Astoria. Tigard took first place in Jazz (6A) with their routine “Hit the Road, Jack!”, while West Albany claimed victory in Pom (1A-5A).
Clackamas also excelled in Show Category with another win following an undefeated season. Sherwood secured its third consecutive Hip Hop (6A) title; Lake Oswego led Pom (6A) with a routine inspired by “Phantom of the Opera.” In other categories, Silverton topped both Traditional (5A) and Jazz (1A-5A), while Astoria continued its dominance in Hip Hop (1A-5A).
Individual awards were given through Drill Down competitions across classifications. Scholarships were presented by the Dance and Drill Coaches Association of Oregon to top-scoring dancers from December’s All-State auditions as well as academic scholarships and one Diversity Excellence Scholarship.
Lifetime Achievement Awards honored Amanda Wilcox (Putnam), Michele Napier (Judges Affiliation), and Pamela Didier-Delwisch (Scappoose) for over fifteen years of service to dance/drill activities.
Dance/drill is recognized by OSAA as a winter activity but requires preparation throughout summer and fall seasons. Teams dedicate months to refining routines for competitions and community events.
