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The Star 25.09.2011 - TWO teams of students danced their way to Hong Kong Disneyland recently after winning Disney Channel’s “My School Rocks!” 2011 Interschool Dance Competition.

Team Leeleesm from SK Puncak Alam, Kuala Lumpur won the grand prize in the primary category while Team K-Elite of SMK Bahang in Sabah was the top team in the secondary category.

The teams also received trophies and certificates.

“We learnt a lot after participating in ‘My School Rocks!’ last year and it helped us become more confident to perform on stage. It’s such a happy surprise that we won this year and to know that all our hard work and practice paid off!” said Team Leeleesm, comprising Aini Syazwani Azizan, Norhafiza Azween Sumali, Zahirah Adilah Zamzuri, Fairuz Wardina Wahab, Muhammad Hariz Yusri and Siti Mariam Wan Mahadzir.

“We believe our original and creative dance moves and entertaining performance wowed the judges and helped us clinch the winning spot!

“We never gave up and practised really hard for this,” said Team K-Elite, comprising students Jerry Yacob, Desaraa Shana Wenceslaus Kiwit, Sherry Vanessa Anthony, Melysa Kimberly George, Vallerrie Niong and Dayandra Jivinsol Moosom.

The competition, in its fourth edition, saw students across Malaysia showcasing their talents in various forms of dance, complete with their own costumes and choreography.

One of the judges, dance choreographer Linda Jasmine said she was impressed with the professionalism and talent of the participants.

“I feel the level of dance in Malaysia is as good as anywhere else in the world. I’m very happy to see more originality this year,” she said, adding that the competition seemed to attract more participants each year.

Fellow judge, Adademi Fantasia 6 winner Stacy said she was particularly impressed with the younger children.

“I was really surprised at the level of performance from the primary school pupils — they are really good. In fact, I learnt a lot from these participants myself!” she said.

The winning teams were selected from a shortlisted group of 10 state winners whose audition dances were posted online for public voting, which accounted for half of their score.

The remaining half were determined by a panel of judges who awarded points based on choreography, showmanship, props, costumes, teamwork, sportsmanship, and dance concept.