FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--May 13, 2001

Honolulu, HI. Yesterday, Maryknoll third grader Sasha Dee Dayoan captured the national title of Mini Miss Drill Team U.S.A. (first to third grade category) at the Junior Miss Drill Team U.S.A. competition held in Redondo Beach, California on May 12, 2001.

Dayoan scored 297 points out of a possible 300. Her score was the highest overall total in any of the categories for the entire competition. Sasha, the only entrant from Hawaii, competed against 14 other talented dancers from across the United States. Generally, the winners in each category lead by a couple of points. Sasha won by 14 points.

Dayoan is a member of Drill Team Hawaii (DTH), one of the nation’s leading precision dance teams. “Competition judges were very impressed with Sasha. They commented that her talent and ability are rare for someone of her age,” said DTH director Penny Young. Young added, “Sasha works extremely hard for her achievements. In the month leading up to the competition Sasha practiced three to four hours each day, while still maintaining her honor roll status at her school.”

“In the beginning of April, Sasha came down with pneumonia. She cried because she felt she wouldn’t represent her team and teacher well at the competition,” said her mother Janet Dayoan. “I just told her, ‘do your best,’” said her mother.

Sasha is the daughter of Darrell and Janet Dayoan of Makiki.