![MORE THAN A GAME. With two diving catches in the outfield, the Lions showed up defensively, aiding in their victory over the Pacers. One catch was made by Atwood, and the other by McGraw. Throughout the game, the Lions knew that it wasn’t just about their victory today. “I think [playing for cancer] makes it bigger than just a game,” McGraw said. “Knowing that you have a bigger impact in this world than just who you are as one person.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/I70A1454-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Students in the National Art Honor Society work on the Mount Hood mural on the window of SouthLake Church. The students brought a variety of paints and mixed their own custom colors. “Instead of brushstrokes, we’re doing more dabbing, because it gives [a] better impression of tree foliage, rather than looking like actual brush strokes, because if we’re painting trees, we need it to look like trees,” Crawford said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_2397-1200x900.jpg)
The mark of any great team is that it is well balanced in every aspect of competition. This year the Debutantes display such balance, placing in the top three of every competition in all three categories in which they compete: Modern, Pom and Kick.
“We have had so much success in competitions because we have long practices and work really hard,” Kelsea Pinkston, senior, said.
On Dec. 3 at Santiam High School, the Debs once again blew away the competition in the Modern category. They claimed first place with a score of 80.22, edging out second place Canby by more than two and a half points. It was the third time this season that the Debs have taken first place in Modern.
“Our coaches strive to expose us to different styles of dance from early on in the season,” Rachel Sliger, senior captain, said. “The studio we take classes at during the summer focuses a lot on gaining experience in a wide range of genres.”
The Debs conquered the Kick category at the Category Champs meet at Reynolds High School on Dec. 10. Again, it was the third time this season that the Debs have grabbed the first place trophy in this category.
“Our biggest competitors at state are Parkrose, Clackamas and Canby,” Pinkston said. “Our ultimate goals are to improve and do our best at state!”
If the team is to improve upon one aspect of its showcase, it would be in the Pom category. After earning first place in their first meet at David Douglas High School on Nov. 5, the Debutantes have placed second behind Lake Oswego in four competitions since.