By Matt Hoover
USD 475 Communications Coordinator
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - The Junction City High School J-Stepper Dance Team had a banner week at the 2026 Universal Dance Association Home Camp, collecting one All-American honoree and earning a bid to the 2027 National Dance Team Championship.
In all, senior Annabel Vande Riet brought home UDA All-American status, which is the highest individual honor a camper can receive. It was the second-straight year in which Vande Riet was named an All-American by the association. As a team, the Blue Jays collected multiple blue ribbons, while sophomore Le’Laya Miller was named the Drill Down Queen after excelling in the Drill Down portion of the camp.
Other highlights included junior Amberleigh Thurman receiving the Pin It Forward pin, which recognizes dancers who demonstrate not only being a good teammate, but also a great leader. The 2027 UDA National Dance Team Championship will take place at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.