After years of dedication, early morning practices and persistence, the Highline High School Drill Team is heading to the National Dance Team Championship in Anaheim, California, for the first time in school history.

Coach Helena Caldwell confirmed that the Pirates team recently received approval from the Highline School District to travel out of state for the March competition, a milestone that came only after student leaders made an impassioned appeal before the Highline School Board.

“I came here today to speak for my team,” Caldwell told the board during its Oct. 15 meeting, “but I saw that my captains actually signed up to speak and half of my team showed up. I feel like hearing what they would have to say is a little more impactful than listening to me.”

Team captains Camila Medina Lara, Camila Rubalcava, and Valeria Farias Rivera then addressed the board, describing how the team had qualified for nationals several times before but was never permitted to attend.

“Each year that we have been on the team, we have qualified for nationals, but we never actually had the chance to participate,” Medina Lara said. “It was especially disheartening when we heard the news that other sports teams and activities in our district were able to travel out of state, and even internationally. The drill team is a recognized WIAA activity just like other sports. It is inequitable that other sports teams are offered the opportunity to represent their school and community abroad, and we are not.”

The students’ testimony appeared to make an impact. The district has since approved the team’s travel request, clearing the way for the Pirates to represent Highline and the Burien community on the national stage this spring.

Caldwell said she is “so proud” of her team’s leadership and perseverance. “It’s been a journey,” she said.