For the 22 dancers of Solon Catch-22, practice doesn't end when the school bell rings. Most nights, they're still in the studio until 10 p.m.—sweating through hip-hop formations, refining contemporary turns, and rebuilding routines from the ground up when a single beat feels off. That relentless attention to detail has carried the Solon High School team from Ohio gymnasiums to one of the biggest stages in competitive dance. Now they have one more hurdle to clear: getting there.
Catch-22 has qualified for the World of Dance finals, the national live-tour competition that draws top crews from across the country. The finals run July 15–18 in Los Angeles, where 50 teams will compete for a $50,000 grand prize and television exposure that has launched professional careers for past winners. For a student team from suburban Cleveland, it's an opportunity that once felt out of reach.
"We've watched videos of World of Dance finals since we were freshmen," said Maya Patel, team captain and a senior who has danced with Catch-22 for four years. "To actually be the team on that stage—it still doesn't feel real. But it could be, if we get there."
From TikTok Virality to a National Stage
Catch-22 has built its reputation on refusing to play it safe. Their 2023 competition piece, which wove together hip-hop and traditional Indian dance forms, won the Midwest Regional Championships and racked up 2.3 million views on TikTok. Judges consistently cite their musicality and fearless style-blending as what separates them from more conventional high school teams.
This year's qualifying routine is no exception. The dancers spent six months choreographing and re-choreographing a number that moves from jazz-funk to contemporary floorwork in under three minutes—no section repeated, no moment wasted.
"The level of polish they're demanding from themselves is unlike anything I've seen in my eight years coaching here," said Derek Holloway, Catch-22's head coach. "World of Dance isn't just another trophy. It's a chance for these kids to prove they belong in the same conversation as professional dance companies."
The Cost of Competing
Qualifying was the hard part. But the logistics are proving nearly as daunting.
The team needs to raise $18,000 by June 1 to cover round-trip flights to Los Angeles, five nights of lodging, competition registration fees, and new costumes required for the finals. As a self-funded student organization, Catch-22 receives no district budget for out-of-state travel. Families have already absorbed costs for uniforms, shoes, and regional entry fees throughout the year.
To close the gap, the team is running a GoFundMe campaign and hosting a benefit performance on Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at Solon High School's auditorium. The showcase will feature their full finals routine, plus selections from Solon's middle school and alumni dance groups.
For sophomore Jordan Okonkwo, the youngest dancer on this year's roster, the fundraising push has become personal. Okonkwo joined Catch-22 after transferring to Solon last year and says the team was the first place he felt at home in a new school.
"I used to practice in my basement with videos on my phone because I couldn't afford studio classes," Okonkwo said. "Now I'm going to Los Angeles with my team—if we can make it happen. Every donation, every ticket sold, it literally gets us closer to that stage."
How to Help
The Solon Catch-22 dance team is asking the community for two things: financial support and visibility.
- Donate: Contributions can be made through the team's GoFundMe page at any amount.
- Attend the benefit: Tickets for the May 18 showcase are $15 general admission, $10 for students and seniors, available at the door or through the Solon High School activities office.
- Share: Even those unable to donate can amplify the campaign by sharing the team's story on social media.
"We're so grateful for the support of our community," Patel said. "Without our friends, family, and fans, we wouldn't be able to achieve this. We just want the chance to show everyone what Solon Catch-22 can do."
Support Solon Catch-22's journey to the World of Dance finals by donating or attending their benefit performance on May 18.
