On February 16, 2026, the Cypress High School Varsity Song team represented Cypress in the National Dance Alliance (NDA) Jazz Finals. These ladies made Cypress history by competing in the NDA nationals–and by taking home a champion title.
It was the team’s first time at this competition, which was held in Orlando, Florida. It also marked their first time competing in the hip-hop category, and their first time becoming Cypress NDA Jazz Champions. In addition to this, the ladies were also named the Intermediate Hip-Hop Large Silver Medalists. The CHS Varsity Song team’s head coach is Sierra Garcia and assistant coaches are JJ Vibal and Eliana Gillotti. The Varsity team’s captains are Vivian Ho, Leila Masangcay, Taryn Imai, and Melissa Willey, while Annelise Chun and Sophia Fujii lead the JV team.
Abigail Sasaki, a sophomore in CHS’s Varsity Song team, expressed her joy in “[making] a mark on new judges at a competition that Cypress has never been to.” “We all work together really well,” Sasaki said. It’s nice to be in a community where we’re all friends, and we can all correct each other without getting our feelings hurt.” The win at NDA nationals helped build Sasaki’s confidence to push further. “It helps us know that we’re capable of winning,” she said.
Allison Hsiao, a sophomore on the Varsity Song team described her feelings before the performance as an adrenaline rush. “…it’s adrenaline. You’re either really happy or really nervous. Most of the time, it’s a mix of both,” Hsiao said. “As soon as you step on the stage, it’s over in a second. You’re not thinking about anything other than having fun.” Competing in NDA nationals marked multiple firsts in Cypress history. Reflecting on the win, Hsiao said, “There’s things we can learn from this experience and we can always do better. It will help us a lot.”
The ladies have formed a close bond with one another, both on and off the floor. “We are very close. Everybody. We all love each other,” Hsiao said with a big smile. “People you dance with, you become best friends with. It’s nice to have people that are always there for you.”
“Our coach is our role model,” Hsiao said. She explained that the strictness of Head Coach Sierra Garcia is a “really good thing for [them],” and that “she helps [them] with everything.”
“I just want to thank everybody,” Hsiao said. “It was so exciting and I am so grateful for this experience.”
In addition to becoming NDA champions, both JV and Varsity Song teams took home wins at USA Nationals. Finals were held on February 23, 2026. JV brought home first place in the Pom category, and placed third with their jazz routine, while Varsity Song placed first for both Pom and Jazz, defending their titles for another year.
