The Camas High School dancers captured first-place trophies in the pom and jazz categories at the District 4 Dance/Drill Championships Saturday, at Heritage High School in Vancouver.

The Papershakers also finished third in hip-hop, and senior Shelby Meader became the first dancer from Camas to win a drill down competition at districts. Also qualifying for state in drill from Camas is Sarah Issacs, Brianna Ranck, Shefani Kanal, Vanessa Serrano, Darlina Vu and Maegan Walser.

"The first-place trophies we earned as a team shows that all of our hard work this year has finally paid off," said junior team captain Caitlyn Moore. "We're taking all of our routines to state."

Needing a score of at least 210 or better, the Papershakers racked up 242 points in pom, 234 points in jazz and 225 points in hip-hop to qualify all three performances for the State Dance/Drill Championships, March 27 at the Yakima Sun Dome.

"You get to miss a day of school to dance," said senior team captain Brittney Whitman. "We get to ride on a bus together for hours, and go all the way to the Yakima Dome."

Whitman added that a big competition such as state requires a stop at Shari's Restaurant. They will have to find one on the way to Yakima.

"Any time we have to bond, you don't pass it up," she said. "Whenever the team is together, whether it's to practice, compete or just hang out, I cherish these moments."

Read the rest of the story in the March 9 issue of the Post-Record