Local dancers from Seven Lakes Dance competed in the Star Systems Talent Competition, Starpower Talent Competition, and Dance Machine Talent Competition during this 2008/2009 competition season. Four competition troupes -- beginner, intermediate, junior, and senior -- competed with tap, jazz, and hip-hop dances. The groups consisted of 30 girls, collectively.

The beginner troupe members, Hailey Scott, Amanda Jones, Alexa Giovanni, Kennedy Cross, Madison Hadaway, and Savannah Dwiggins, competed with a lively jazz dance titled "Pump It," and a tap dance titled "Swing with Me." These girls were awarded one Gold, one Elite Gold, and two Awesome Golds. They also received a fourth overall and a first overall in Mini-Small Groups at Dance Machine.

The intermediate troupe members, Emily Lewis, Charlotte Herbst, Miranda Miller, Amanda Gosline, Sarah Rabstejnek, Carly Veit, Ashley LaFell, Danielle Rodriguez, and Amy Hinds, competed in the recreational division. Their tap dance, "Bandstand," received two Gold awards, and one Awesome Gold this year. They also received a fifth overall, third overall, and second overall in the Recreational Large Group divisions. This group was awarded the Choreography award at Dance Machine.

The junior troupe members, Kirsten Alvarez, Carly Baker, Amanda Felix, Amy Felix, Samantha Laurita, Kate Morris, and Mary Kathryn Hurst, competed in the competitive division with their tap dance, "It Don't Matter." The troupe was awarded one High Gold, one Elite Gold, and an Awesome Platnium recognition for their performances as well as the Grand Champion award over all Junior Competitive Small Groups at Dance Machine.

The senior troupe members, Roxanne Batson, Briana Goodwin, Katie Kearns, Brittany Keyser, Samantha Matthews, Sydney Turner, Lauren Seawell, and Katie Kearns, competed in the competitive division with their tap dance, "When I Grow Up." The senior troupe was awarded one Gold, one Elite Gold, and one Awesome Platnium. This dance also received a first place overall within all Senior Competitive Small Groups at Dance Machine. This group also competed with their hip-hop dance, "One Moment," which was awarded one High Gold, one Platnium and an Awesome Platnium. This dance also received the Grand Champion award over all Competitive Small Groups at Dance Machine.

Senior troupe members, Brittany Keyser, Briana Goodwin, and Sydney Turne,r competed in the competitive division with their tap trio, "Baby I'm a Star." The trio was awarded an Elite Gold, and an Awesome Platnium recognition. This trio was awarded the "Rock the Stage" award at Starpower, and they also received a Grand Champion award within all Senior Duet/Trios at Dance Machine.

The senior troupe members, along with junior troupe member Samantha Laurita, competed in the competitive division with their large group jazz dance titled "Baby Girl." This dance was awarded two Gold awards and one Elite Gold award. This group also brought a large group tap dance, "Tappin'" which was awarded a High Gold, a Platnium, and an Awesome Platnium recognition. They also received the Grand Champion award over all Competitive Large Groups at Dance Machine.

Seven Lakes dancers in the junior and senior troupes have also been named members of the Dance Machine Dream Team where they will participate in the opening number at Dance Machine Nationals in North Wilkesboro the weekend of June 26. This will be the final competition for the girls this year.

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

Seven Lakes Dance will be holding its annual dance recital Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at Sandhills Community College. Admission is $5.

For information on classes, and up-coming summer dance camps, call Marcie Overcash at 673-1263 or visit 7lakesdance.com.