Local dancers from Seven Lakes Dance competed in the Applause Talent Competition, Star Systems Talent Competition, and Showstopper Talent Competition during this 2007/2008 competition season.

Five competition troupes -- Itty Bitty, Beginner, Intermediate, Junior, and Senior -- competed with tap, jazz, and hip hop dances. The groups consisted of 28 girls, collectively.

The Itty Bitty Troupe members, Hailey Scott, Amanda Jones, and Alexa Giovanni, competed for the first time this year. Their lively jazz dance titled "Girlfriend" was awarded one gold and two high golds. They also received two second overall places in all mini duet/trio categories. This troupe was honored with the "Cutie" award at Applause.

The Beginner Troupe members -- Jordan Hogan, Emily Lewis, Veronica Batson, Charlotte Herbst, Kate Morris, Miranda Miller, Amanda Jones, and Sarah Rabstejnek -- competed for the first time in the recreational division. Their tap dance, "Bombshell Stomp," received gold awards.

The Intermediate Troupe members -- Kirsten Alvarez, Carly Baker, Amanda Felix, Amy Felix, Samantha Laurita, and Mary Kathryn Hurst -- competed in the recreational division with their tap dance, "Goodbye." They were awarded three gold recognitions for their performances as well as a third place overall in the recreational small group category at Showstoppers.

The Junior Troupe members -- Roxanne Batson, Erin Dean, Briana Goodwin, Katie Kearns, Brittany Keyser, Samantha Matthews, and Sydney Turner -- competed in the competitive division with their tap dance, "Smooth Criminal." The Junior Troupe was awarded a gold and two high gold recognitions as well as a fifth overall within all Junior small groups at Applause. This group also competed with their hip hop dance, "Takin' It Back," which was awarded two golds and a high gold. This dance also received a ninth place overall at Showstopper.

The Senior Troupe members, Brittany Cullifer, Katie Ohara, Katie Ritter, and Lauren Seawell, competed in the competitive division with their tap dance, "Black Betty." The Senior Troupe was awarded three gold recognitions and received a second place overall within all Senior small groups at Applause.

The Junior and Senior Troupe members, along with Intermediate troupe member Samantha Laurita, competed in the competitive division with their large group jazz dance titled "Heartbreaker." This dance was awarded three gold awards. This group also brought a large group tap dance, "Throw It On Me," which was awarded a gold award and two high gold recognitions. They also achieved a second place overall at Applause.

Seven Lakes Dancers have also been named a finalist for the prestigious National Dance Cup. The dancers will be competing one last time this year, at Hoctors Dance Caravan in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

All dancers are students at Seven Lakes Dance under the direction and instruction of co-instructors Marcie Miller, LeAnn Garrison and Lauren Kicklighter.

Seven Lakes will be holding its annual dance recital on Saturday, June 7, at 7 p.m. at Aberdeen Elementary School. Admission is free.

For information on classes, and upcoming summer dance camps, call Marcie Miller at 673-1263.