Students from Lucretia’s School of Dance was well represented at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Florida, on April 28-30. The dancers competed against dozens of dance studios from around the area for prestigious top honors at the Showstopper Dance Championships, the largest dance competition in the country.  The students put in countless hours perfecting the dances and worked extremely hard getting ready for competition.

Lucretia’s School of Dance received a double platinum award, four platinum awards and three gold awards.  These are the top three places that are determined by points. This competition qualified the dancers for the Showstopper National Finals in one of the following locations this summer – Sandusky, Myrtle Beach, Anaheim, or Galveston.

“We were extremely proud of all of the girls and their performances,” said Kacee Sellars. “For most of them, this was a first-time experience, and they handled it well.  We are looking forward to many more competitions with these groups and are also expecting more top awards for their outstanding performances.”

Kacee Franklin operates Lucretia’s School of Dance and is an instructor and choreographer. Allison Whitaker is also an instructor and choreographer. Samantha Marshall is another instructor of dance, as well as gymnastics.  Scott Benson, who lives in Tallahassee, FL, contributes instruction and choreography biweekly for some of the dances that were performed at the competition.  Lucretia’s School of Dance, named after Lucretia Oswald, founded the school that has taught many Decatur County residents as well as residents from surrounding areas. 

The teams were made up of the following participants:

Junior/Senior (Trio):  Emma Briggs, Ansley Walker and Kelsey Bowen

Mini Group:  Mary Margaret Beckham, Julia Raye Key, Bailey Floyd, Caroline Shockley, Aubrey Gainous, Kale Duke, Alyssa Posey, Emilia Posey, Ashlyn Thompson, Ava Thompson, Loghan Thompson, Jimi Bellflower, Careygan Palmer and Fallyn Markowitz

Peewee Group:  Sybil Lee, Annabelle Adams, GeGe Green, Carlee Dollar, Ashariah Keaton, Nicole Tyre, Emma Thompson, Kate Poitevint, Paris Birdsong, Shayla Allen, Laura Posey, Renee Fillingame, Ashlyn Thompson, and Ava Thompson

Adult Solo:  Allison Whitaker

During the awards ceremony the dancers received the following awards: 

Teen/Advanced Duet/Trio  (Jr/Sr Trio)  – 1) Jazz category – “Lovesick” – 2nd place in age category, 9th overall,  2)  Contemporary/Lyrical category – “New World Coming” – 4th place in age category, 10th overall, and 3)  Lyrical category – “Nothing But the Water” – 1st place in age category, 7th place overall. 

Junior Performance Large  (PeeWee) –  1) Jazz category –  “Smile” – 7th overall,    2)  Lyrical category – “Castle” – 6th overall

Mini Performance Small  – 1)  Lyrical category – “Hallelujah” – 6th overall

Mini Performance Large – 1)  Jazz category – “Circus” – 4th overall

Adult Competitive Solo  – 2nd overall