Local dancers from Seven Lakes Dance competed this 2009-2010 competition season in Fire and Ice Talent Competition, Dance Machine Talent Competition and Star Systems Talent Competition.

Four competition troupes — beginner, intermediate, junior and senior — competed with tap, jazz and hip-hop dances. The groups include 35 girls.

Beginner troupe members Amanda Jones, Alexa Giovanni, Kennedy Cross and Savannah Dwiggins competed with a small group hip-hop dance and a small group tap dance. These girls were awarded one platinum, one outstanding gold, one awesome platinum and one high gold. They also received a fourth overall at Fire and Ice and grand champion over all petite small groups at Dance Machine.

The intermediate troupe members — Emily Lewis, Charlotte Herbst, Miranda Miller, Amanda Gosline, Sarah Rabstejnek, Carly Veit, Ashley LaFell, Veronica Batson, Hailey Scott, Kearsten Dozier, Madison Hadaway, Paige Adkins, Liza Nance, Caitlyn O’Hara, Aimee Pinock, Josie Lee and Meghan Quinlan — competed in the recreational large group tap division. Their tap dance received two gold awards, and one awesome gold this year. They also received a first overall in the recreational large croup division at Dance Machine.

The junior troupe members — Kirsten Alvarez, Amanda Felix, Amy Felix, Kate Morris, Mary Kathryn Hurst, Amy Hinds and Savannah Duncan — competed in the competitive division with their tap dance. The troupe was awarded one platinum, one awesome platinum and a high gold recognition for their performances as well as a second overall at Fire and Ice and the grand champion award over all junior intermediate small groups at Dance Machine.

The senior troupe members — Roxanne Batson, Briana Goodwin, Katie Kearns, Brittany Keyser, Samantha Matthews, Sydney Turner and Samantha Laurita — competed in the competitive division with a hip-hop dance and a tap dance. The troupe was awarded one awesome gold, one diamond, one platinum, one extreme platinum and two high golds. This group also received a second place overall within all teen competitive small groups at Fire and Ice, a fourth place overall and a grand champion award at Dance Machine, as well as a fifth place overall at Star Systems.

The senior competition group also received special awards. At Fire and Ice, they were awarded the “That’s Tappin” award, and they received the super grand champion award at Dance Machine by achieving the highest score of the day.

All senior troupe members, along with junior troupe members Amy Felix, Amanda Felix, Kirsten Alvarez and Kate Morris, competed in the competitive division with their large group tap dance. This dance was awarded one platinum award, one awesome platinum award and one high gold award. This dance also received a first overall at Fire and Ice, the grand champion award at Dance Machine and a fourth place overall at Star Systems.

Senior troupe members along with junior members Kate Morris and Savannah Duncan, intermediate troupe members Carly Veit and Ashley Lafell, and beginner troupe members Alexa Giovanni, Kennedy Cross and Savannah Dwiggins, performed a large group jazz dance. This dance received two golds and one awesome platinum. They also received the grand champion award over all junior intermediate large groups at Dance Machine.

Seven Lakes dancers in the senior, junior and beginner 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 25. 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, Lauren Kicklighter, LeAnn Garrison and new instructor Katie Ritter.

Seven Lakes will be holding its annual dance recital Saturday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at Pinecrest High School. Admission is $5.

For information on classes, registration and upcoming summer dance camps, call Marcie Overcash at (910) 639-0664 or visit 7lakesdance.com.