PATRICK'S PEOPLE: The Pittsburg Family YMCA Academy of Dance wins numerous awards

Pittsburg Family YMCA Academy of Dance won numerous honors and awards when students participated March 16-18 at the Regional Talent on Parade Competition at Taylor Auditorium, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin.

Students from 27 dance studios in four states competed at the event. Studios could enter students in three levels of competition — novice, intermediate and competitive. The YMCA Academy of Dance chose to enter the competitive level.

“Many studios from smaller towns like ours do not compete at the competitive level,” said Stacy Shireman, YMCA administrative director. “We really give our students a great challenge competing at this level because usually we are competing with students from large cities who dance 15 to 20 hours per week, whereas we only dance about six to eight hours per week. It speaks volumes about our program to compete at that level and still be one of the top studios at the whole competition. We are extremely proud of our dancers and faculty.”

Group awards for the YMCA Academy of Dance Star Company Prep Group included a Diamond Elite Top First (the highest adjudicated award possible), Judge’s Choice Award for being “Kissable Cute,” and first overall for the routine “It’s in His Kiss,” choreographed by Shelley Van Shaar, and second overall for “Cars That Go Boom,” choreographed by Amanda Krause and Van Shaar.

Company Prep dancers competing were Lissette Allen, Heather Arnett, Julianna Bowles, Ellie Carpenter, Haylee Caskey, Grace Cunningham, Addison Gardner, Lexi McGowen, Alexis Newby, Anna Perry, Caleigh Ratzlaff, Ella Rhuems, Ali Scripsick, Conner Watts and Mattie Vacca.

Group awards for the YMCA Academy of Dance Star Company included second overall for “Heaven Hop,” choreographed by Van Shaar; eighth overall for “Hit Me with a Hot Note,” choreographed by Elisa Saladino; Diamond Elite Top First, Category Cup (best in all of jazz), third overall and a choreography award for “Rock This Town,” choreographed by Van Shaar; and fourth overall for “Slam It,” choreographed by Amanda Krause.

Star Company dancers competing were Leah Brazil, Mackenzie Coester, Aubri Hoffman, Jaylynn Jenkins, Sydney McFall, Taylor Redd, McKenna Shaw, Alora Spencer, Grace Terry, Camryn Towner, Sadie Van Shaar, Conner Watts, Emily Winter and Kynli Wolf.

Group awards for the YMCA Academy of Dance Rising Star Company included an Elite Top first for “Born This Way,” choreographed by Elisa Saladino; fifth overall for “The Time,” choreographed by Jordan Tincher; and third overall for “Hello,” choreographed by Van Shaar.

Rising Star Company dancers competing were Abbey Dainty, Alexis Daniels, Ariana Daniels, Macy Frasco, Katey Freeman, Hayden Gardner, Kayte Keller, Kyla Massey, Brittany Parrish, Laney Shireman, Ashleigh Swallow and Krishel Van Shaar.

Group awards for the YMCA Academy of Dance Rockstars and Superstar Companies included fourth overall for “Miracle” (Rockstars), choreographed by Tincher; Diamond Elite Top First, Category Cup, and first overall for “Beautiful Freaks” (Rockstars and Superstars), choreographed by Van Shaar; Diamond Elite Top First and third overall for “Moment” (Rockstars and Superstars), choreographed by Amanda Krause and Morgan Page; Diamond Elite Top First, Category Cup and fourth overall for “Sisters” (Superstars), choreographed by Tincher; and a Diamond Elite Top First, Category Cup and first overall for “Time After Time” (Superstars), choreographed by Van Shaar.

Rockstar dancers competing were Katie Arnold, Taylor Brumbaugh, Kayla Clark, Makaihlah Gibbs, Will Jewett, Morgan Plank, Alaina Purdon, Cameron Ratzlaff, Rachyl Russian, Gracie Spencer and Victoria Yartz.

Superstar dancers competing were Kylee Freeman, Elizabeth Hayes, Will Jewett, Jenna Perez and Brittany Wilde.

Group awards for the clogging team included an Elite Top First for “Stereo Hearts,” choreographed by Allie Bright.

Clogging team dancers competing were Katie Arnold, Morgan Burns, Kylee Freeman, Hayden Gardner, Kayte Keller, Samantha Scales, Laney Shireman, Ashleigh Swallow and Malory White.

The YMCA Academy of Dance also received the Sportsmanship Award and the Showmanship Award for the entire competition in both the junior and senior divisions.

“Receiving both the Sportsmanship Award and the Showmanship Award was a huge honor for us,” Van Shaar said.

Don Mirault, the competition’s emcee and backstage manager, who is known for his TV, film and Broadway roles, told Van Shaar that he could not believe the professionalism of the academy dancers.

“He said that one part of why we received the award was because he was extremely impressed when a group of our young dancers walked backstage with no teacher supervision in a line with their hands placed professionally behind their backs and politely and calmly said ‘excuse me’ to other dancers backstage,” Van Shaar said. “As a director I was so proud of our dancers for making such a statement of kindness and professionalism during the competition.”

In addition to the group events, the YMCA Academy of Dance also entered many solos at the competition. Stand-out solo awards were two Diamond Elite Top Firsts, two Category Cups and three second overalls for Jenna Perez, Judges Choice Award for Creative Costume for Aubri Hoffman, eighth overall for Kylee Freeman and National Top Starz invitations for Mackenzie Coester, Liz Hayes, Will Jewett, Jenna Perez and Krishel Van Shaar.