Four competition troupes from Seven Lakes Dance - beginner, intermediate, junior and senior - competed in the 2009 Dance Machine Talent Competition finals with tap, jazz and hip-hop routines.

The Beginner Troupe members, 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 two "Awesome Golds," as well as a fifth-place overall and a fourth-place overall in all mini and petite small groups.

The Intermediate Troupe members, Emily Lewis, Charlotte Herbst, Amanda Gosline, Sarah Rabstejnek, Carly Veit, Ashley LaFell and Amy Hinds, competed in the recreational division. Their tap dance, "Bandstand," received an "Awesome Gold," as well as being awarded first place over all junior recreational small groups.

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 Junior Troupe was awarded an "Awesome Platinum" as well as capturing the Grand Champion award overall junior intermediate small groups. The Junior Troupe was also invited to compete in the Grand National Showdown of the Stars, where they were awarded a second-place overall.

The Senior Troupe members, Roxanne Batson, Briana Goodwin, Katie Kearns, Brittany Keyser, Samantha Matthews, Sydney Turner and Katie Ritter, competed in the competitive division with their tap dance, "When I Grow Up." The Senior Troupe was awarded an "Awesome Platinum" as well as fourth-place overall in the teen intermediate small group division. This group also competed with their hip-hop dance, "One Moment," which was awarded an "Awesome Platinum " This dance also received the Grand Champion award over all intermediate small groups.

Senior Troupe members Brittany Keyser, Briana Goodwin and Sydney Turner competed in the competitive division with their tap trio, "Baby, I'm a Star." The senior trio was awarded an "Awesome Platinum recognition. They also received the Grand Champion award within all teen intermediate trios.

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 an "Elite Gold" award. This group also brought a large group tap dance, "Tappin'," which was awarded an "Awesome Platinum recognition. They also received a first-place overall in the teen intermediate large group division. "Tappin'" was also invited to compete in the Grand National Showdown of the Stars, where they were awarded a finalist recognition.

Seven Lakes dancers in the Junior and Senior Troupes performed in the Dance Machine Nationals Dream Team performance during the competition.

Seven Lakes Dance 2010 competition troupes will begin their competition season the weekend of Jan. 29-31 in Albemarle with Star Systems National Talent Competition.

The dancers are under the direction and instruction of co-instructors Marcie Overcash, Lauren Kicklighter, LeAnn Garrison and new instructor, Katie Ritter.

For information on classes, or to preregister students for next season, call Marcie Overcash at (910) 639-0664 or e-mail 7lakesdance@nc.rr.com.