The LOHS Laker Dance team regularly competes in competitions at the league, state, and national level in order to showcase their talent and get opportunities to learn from other choreographers and teams. On the weekend of December 6 and 7 of 2025, Laker Dance competed at the Rex Putnam Festival of Dance at Rex Putnam High School in Portland. There, the team placed first in the categories of hip hop and pom.  

The competition featured dance teams from high schools scattered throughout the Portland Metro Area. Laker Dance got the opportunity to debut their new pom routine to the theme of Phantom of the Opera. Sophomore Elle McCan shared, “We competed against multiple other teams who had competed their pom before so it felt really good to win.”

Since D-Squad regularly partakes in competitions, the team has established traditions in order to hype each other up and celebrate wins. Senior Clara Penoyer said, “When we are waiting for awards, we always sit in a circle and hold hands, and before we perform, we do a hype circle”. 

Penoyer later reflected on her time with the dance team, saying, “We’re all family and there’s such a special bond between all the girls. I’ve loved getting to dance with all these people and gain friendships with everyone.”

A group of Laker Dancers also recently auditioned for the 2026 All-State Dance Team. Seniors Maddi Dale, Clara Penoyer, Georgia Truax, Gisele ElAzma and Carys Cassidy were selected to compete on the All-State team!