Entertainment : Cooling Dancers Win at National Competition

The Cooling Dance Center of Vinton competed June 23, 24, 25, and 26 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque for the Midwest Starz National Finals Dance Competition. There were 41 studios and hundreds of qualifying dancers in attendance. The Cooling Dancers brought home many awards including four high point trophies, a special judge’s award, and one Grand National Runner Up. It was an outstanding job by our local dancers. The senior tap entry “It’s Sand Man” placed in the top three senior groups overall and was invited to perform on Sunday at the Grand Nationals. This was a huge honor, and the girls received a runner up trophy at that performance. Additionally, 10 yr. old Joshuah Rivera of Dysart performed as a Standout Dancer at the Sunday Grand Nationals and was awarded a scholarship to attend the Midwest Starz Dance Workshop next February. Judges for the event included Jake Primmerman of White Christmas National Tour, Nikki Zwolski of Norwegian Cruise Lines and many Broadway productions, Maurice Watson faculty member at the University of Maryland, Monica Warr of the MTV Music Video Awards, Ruka White of the Miami City Ballet, and Nancy Hightower who teaches tap at “Steps on Broadway.” Each routine was evaluated for technique and presentation, and the top five in each age group were also awarded high point rankings. Dancers and their awards included: Mini Production: “The Wiz” Platinum and High Point Winning Mini Production: Angela Ahrenstein, Claire Booth, Callie Cain, Addyson Chvala, Peytin Clemensen, Gwen Clemenson, Alana Fleming, Emma Fry, Gracie Fry, Carmen Henkle, Summer Hotchkiss, Julia Johnson, Brooke Johnston, Haylee Karr, Zoey Kriner, Samantha Lundvall, Karsyn Nichol, Hayden Ocheltree, Julia Paine, Olivia Primrose, Joelle Rivera, Joshuah Rivera, Kara Rollinger, Rachel Rollinger, Micheala Schrock, Brynlee Seeck, Sophia Seeck, Delaynee Slouha, Sloane Slouha, Elise Smith, Madalyn Staggs, Charleston Steinke, Mieke Ternus, Cari Travis, Mila VanWeelden, Sophia Vasquez, Brynn Wilden Preteen Lg. Group Tap: “Supercalifragilistic” High Gold Award: Claire Booth, Peytin Clemensen, Gwen Clemenson, Alana Fleming, Carmen Henkle, Summer Hotchkiss, Brooke Johnston, Zoey Kriner, Samantha Lundvall, Karsyn Nichol, Julia Paine, Joshuah Rivera, Rachel Rollinger, Charleston Steinke, Sophia Vasquez, Baylee Wheeler Preteen Lg. Group Tap: “Drag Me Down” 4th Runner Up High Point Pre-Teen Group: Zena Aragon, Brylee Bruce, Alyssa Griffith, Ashlyn Hotchkiss, Emily Ingalls, Isabell Kreel, Raeganne Neilson, Macey Overturf, Elsa Page, Lauren Paine, Jenna Pattee, Kara Perry, Ashlee Thomas, Emma Upah Preteen Solo: “Electricity” Judges Scholarship Award: Joshuah Rivera Teen Line Tap: “Adventure of a Lifetime” High Point Winning Teen Line: Leah Bohnsack, Charley Cooling, Kelli Cox, Newelle Dalton, Riley Davis, Franki Evans, Madalynn Farmer, Kayla Griffith, Kayla Griffith, Allissa Hendryx, Hannah Houtakker, Machaela Ingalls, Leah Kaufman, Alli Kemp, Rachel Kline, Kailey Lazenby, Bree Lundvall, Shelby McDonald, Lauren Murray, Lauren Price, Lydia Radeke, Karsyn Semelroth, Taylor Shipley, Jayden Steffen, Chelsee Tharp, Amy Thomas, Nicki Thomas, Molly Tschantz, Morgan White Sr. Tap Lg Group: “It’s Sand Man” Platinum Award/Judges Award “Clean and Clear,” High Point Winner, and Grand National Runner Up: Baylee Bruce, Katie Folkmann, Brandis Gerber, Bristi Gerber, Gracie Horst, Olivia Ketchen, Charity Kies, Natalie Sallee, Brooklyn Staab, Taylor Wheeler, Emma Wilson, Madison Winter Teen Production: “Change the World” High Point Winning Teen Production: Zena Aragon, Leah Bohnsack, Baylee Bruce, Charley Cooling, Kelli Cox, Newelle Dalton, Riley Davis, Madalynn Farmer, Katie Folkmann, Allissa Hendryx, Ashlyn Hotchkiss, Emily Ingalls, Machaela Ingalls, Leah Kaufman, Grace Keegan, Alli Kemp, Rachel Kline, Isabell Kreel, Kailey Lazenby, Bree Lundvall, Shelby McDonald, Lauren Murray, Raeganne Neilson, Elsa Page, Lauren Paine, Jenna Pattee, Kara Perry, Lauren Price, Lydia Radeke, Taylor Shipley, Lauren Slouha, Jayden Steffen, Chelsee Tharp, Amy Thomas, Ashlee Thomas, Nicki Thomas, Molly Tschantz, Emma Upah, Morgan White