I have no idea if what I'm about to describe holds true today... perhaps, perhaps not - - but some years ago dance studios from everywhere WEST of the Mississippi River came to this competition. NOT in great numbers, but some.

I remember the school from Missouri. I remember them because the Rams were still in Missouri at the time, although I can't remember, (if I ever knew), if they were from St. Louis.

Small troupe, perhaps 10 girls... and they had 'gone all in' to attend the Disneyland competition. Only one dance group from this dance school attended. Age of the dancers was around.... I'm guessing 12?

They had held several fund raisers to afford the trip - and this because - they believed in themselves and felt they could hang with the 'big schools', even the LA schools. Skipping to the chase... they COULD, and they DID.

They won 1st place in their division. When the announcement was made you would have thought Mike Jones had just made the tackle... only a lot more tears, a LOT more.

My guess is that those young ladies tell that story to this day.... and even I ever happen, through some miracle, to meet one of them I hope to hear one of them relive the story. - JamesJM