Cruise Control performs at Holiday Bowl

On Dec. 27, the Eatonville High School dance team, Cruise Control, embarked on a five-day journey 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, California.  Of course, she said yes. 

Worldstrides Onstage programs fuel the artistic passions of students through live performance events in music and dance with breathtaking productions and prestigious competitions on the most storied U.S. and world stages.

The team worked hard while fundraising enough money to make the trip happen. They also spent many hours perfecting the eight-minute routine they performed. 

On Dec. 31, the girls along with 300 other dancers, 350 band members and color guards from high schools around the country walked on the field to perform as one.  

"It was a spectacular sight to see," Rodewald said. "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."

During their off time 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.