Cruise Control Performs At Holiday Bowl

On December 27th, the Eatonville High School dance team known as Cruise Control embarked on a 5 day journey that they would never forget. Coach Melanie Rodewald was contacted by Worldstrides Onstage to see if the team would be interested in joining other teams to perform during halftime during the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, CA. Of course she said yes. Worldstrides Onstage programs fuel the artistic passions of students through live performance events in music and dance—breathtaking productions and prestigious competitions on the most storied U.S. and world stages.

The team would work very hard fundraising enough money to make the trip happen. They also spent many hours perfecting their 8 minute routine that they would perform.

On December 31st, the girls along with 300 other dancers, 350 band members and color guard from high schools around the country walked on the field to perform as one. “It was a spectacular sight to see. Many of the girls came off the field saying it was worth all the hard work and it was the best experience they have ever had. I am so proud of this team, “said dance Coach Rodewald.

Photo Credit: Melanie Rodewald

During their off time while in San Diego, the team went to the San Diego zoo, Belmont Park and Sea World where they had an awards ceremony and dinner. They also got to attend a dance at Sea World after the park closed.

The dance team hopes to make this a biennial thing to do and travel to other locations.

The dance team members are: Captains Kiara Foster and Alexis Gibbons, dancers Paige Bell, Amelia Bridgham, Kahla Campbell, Ravin Johnson, Alex Lambert and Ashlee Rogers. They were accompanied by EHS cheerleaders Brittney Tipton and Kiara Martin and two alumni members, Mckenzie Hart and Kenzie Rodewald.