The McKinney Boyd Bailadoras drill team competed against some tough competition this past weekend in Galveston at the Showtime Nationals Dance Competition. Once again, they came away national champions!  This group of talented young women was also crowned national champions at their last showing in Galveston in 2010.

“As always, I am so proud of the way our Bailadoras represent our school," said McKinney Boyd Principal Rick McDaniel.  "Their win this past weekend further cements their place as one of the top performing arts programs in the state and the nation. On behalf of everyone here at McKinney Boyd, we could not be more proud of them for their accomplishments. But most of all, we appreciate the class and character they all exhibit on a daily basis. Their director, Ms. Caris Dunn, is to be commended for the top-notched program she has developed. I look forward to their continued success in the future.”

The young women won first place in the Pom, Hip-Hop, and Jazz categories and second in their Modern dance routine. They also won the “Applause Award” for outstanding energy in their Pom routine.

The sophomore trio of Emily Norris, Jane Rha, and Tori Smith won first place with their contemporary trio.

Bailadora soloists had great success at Nationals too. Six out of eight of them placed in the top seven for their age division. Out of those six, two first place National Champions were crowned, freshman Jacqueline Parson and sophomore Emily Norris, and four Finalists, including freshman Kaitlyn Haning, juniors Ashlyn Hancock and Maikha Toutche, and senior Lauren Chase.  

"On behalf of the City of McKinney, I want to congratulate the Boyd Bailadoras on an outstanding performance at their national championship competition," said McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller.  "Their accomplishment is to be commended and we are fortunate as a City to have such outstanding young women representing McKinney at such a high level," Once again, this group of talented young women has made not only McKinney Boyd High School proud, but also the entire City of McKinney. 

The McKinney Boyd Bailadoras, under the direction of Caris Dunn, is a group of Boyd’s most elite dancers. The Bailadoras perform at pep rallies, varsity football games, select basketball and soccer games, events throughout McKinney and produce a spring dance show. Being a Bailadora is a year round commitment of long hours, complex routines, exacting standards, and community involvement. For more information www.boydbailadoras.com