Pinewood Avenue Elementary Students Win Conga Kids Dance Championship

LOS ANGELES, May 7, 2026 – Students from Pinewood Avenue Elementary School (LAUSD) from Tujunga won the Conga Kids Dance Championship held at The Novo at L.A. Live on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The 10-person student team beat out nearly 9,000 fifth graders from 99 elementary schools throughout southern California for the 2025-2026 school year.

The second-place trophy was awarded to Community Magnet Charter in Los Angeles. Los Altos Elementary in Hacienda Heights received the honor of third place. Fourth place went to Janson Elementary in Rosemead. Grazide Elementary in Hacienda Heights was honored with fifth place.

Subscribe

This year’s competition marks the 10^th year of Conga Kids. The program teaches students social and emotional learning through the vessel of dance. Students perform five partnership dances: Cumbia, Salsa, Charleston, Hip Hop and Bollywood.

“We are so proud of our students,” said Conga Kids Executive Director Barbara Garcia Vera. “Because of Conga Kids, students have a unique access to experience dance and the arts in a whole new way – setting a foundation for respect, teamwork, confidence, leadership and intergenerational connection.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond attended the event in support of the young people. The program also honored the following dignitaries and educators for their dedication to the constituents and the families they serve:

• Visionary Award – Dr. James Morris, County Administrator, Inglewood Unified School District
• Visionary Award – Dr. Yadira Moreno, Assistant Superintendent, Anaheim Elementary School District
• Community Hero Award – State Senator Lena A. Gonzalez, 33^rd District and Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus
• Legacy Award – CJ Johnson, President and CEO of Mechanics Bank

Conga Kids serves predominately students of color in underserved communities. In all, nearly 60,000 students from TK to twelve grades at 23 school districts throughout L.A., OC and San Bernardino counties are a “Conga Kid.” Participating school districts include LAUSD, El Monte, Hacienda La Puente, Inglewood, Anaheim Elementary, Rosemead, Mountain View, Lancaster, Pomona, and Vista Charter.

Conga Kids is a 501©3 nonprofit founded in 2016. The transformative in-school curriculum plays an integral role in SoCal districts. Today, the program not only offers cultural dances, but it has expanded its offerings to sports as well.

Conga Kids Championship Finalists at The Novo Include:

1. Loara Elementary (Anaheim Elementary School District)
2. Orange Grove Elementary (Anaheim Elementary School District)
3. Durfee School (El Monte City School District)
4. Cleminson School (El Monte City School District)
5. Grazide Elementary (Hacienda La Puente Unified School District)
6. Los Altos Elementary (Hacienda La Puente Unified School District)
7. Woodworth-Monroe Academy (Inglewood Unified School District)
8. Community Magnet Charter School (Los Angeles Unified School District)
9. Pinewood Avenue Elementary (Los Angeles Unified School District, Local District)
10. Parkview School (Mountain View School District)
11. Alcott Elementary (Pomona Unified School District)
12. Kingsley Elementary (Pomona Unified School District)
13. Pantera Elementary (Pomona Unified School District)
14. Mildred B. Janson Elementary School (Rosemead School District)
15. Palm Lane Global Academy Anaheim (Vista Charter Public Schools)

For more information on Conga Kids and to donate to continue to bring unique music, arts and athletic programs to southern California students, visit CongaKids.org.