The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has announced that the Hanford High School Falcon Fever Dance Team is the 2008 Academic State Champion in the AAA division. The state award recognizes the team in each sport with the highest grade point average among all Washington high schools in each enrollment classification. The HHS Dance Team's winning grade point average was 3.54.

"It's a great accomplishment for these student athletes to have the highest grade point average in the state," said Tom Hegarty, Hanford High athletic director. "I'm proud of them for excelling in the classroom while, at the same time, being highly competitive in dance."

For the fourth straight year, the Hanford High Dance Team earned two first place trophies at the Washington State Dance Competition held last week at the Yakima Sun Dome. The HHS girls won championships in both the Kick and Dance categories.

"It's quite an accomplishment for these girls to bring home two first place trophies again," stated Coach Kim Bates. "It shows that dedication and hard work pay off."

The dance team members are: Megan Baker, Whitney Bird, Veronica Bradley, Candace Edwards, Krys Feliciano, Jessica Garcia, Janet McKinney, Anna Merrifield, Olecia Mikheeva, Sonia Mikheeva, Shantia Miller, Kayla Morgan, Katie Palmus, Sabrina Sulloway, Haley Tayamen, Selina Wang and Paris Wilson. Kim Bates is the coach.