Pacific Ballroom Dance (PBD), a nonprofit dance studio in Auburn, is ready to take on the U. S. National Amateur DanceSport Championship in Provo, Utah next week.

The competition features one of the largest and most competitive youth formation ballroom events in the country – with dozens of teams from throughout the country competing in each category.

PBD, one of the largest ballroom studios in the Pacific Northwest, is the current U.S. Youth Latin Formation champions.

“We are so excited to see our students out on the dance floor,” said Heather Longhurst, PBD executive director. “This competition gives them something to work for all year long. They push themselves to be better dancers and better people. This intense process helps them to develop crucial life skills that they will use forever – well beyond the ballroom.”

In preparation for nationals, Pacific Ballroom Dance had a competition kickoff at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way on Feb. 25, drawing more than 500 community members with standing ovations and enthusiastic cheers. There were five teams performing between the ages of 9 and 18 years old, with 125 kids showcasing their skills and hard work. They performed about nine different dances and two competitive ballroom medleys, with “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future” themes, and two competitive Latin medleys, with a game show and tribal theme.

“The competition kickoff is a way to showcase what they have been working on since last September and bringing together the community to rally around the kids in supporting them off to nationals,” Longhurst said. “We are confident in our students and know they will make us proud.”

Pacific Ballroom Dance’s mission is building character in youth through a positive ballroom dance experience. For more information about classes or upcoming events, go to www.pacificballroom.org.