Published: July 02, 2009 08:34 pm      

Missy’s Studio dancers win at Dance Nationals

Somerset — On June 24, ten competitors from Missy’s Dance Studio traveled to Sevierville, Tenn., to compete against dancers from across the eastern United States at the Rising Star National Dance Competition.

The local dancers qualified for the national competition at the Rising Star Regional Competition in Louisville, Ky., earlier this season. The dancers competed in the national competition at the Sevierville Convention Center.

Although Missy’s Dance Studio was the smallest dance studio represented , they did extremely well. Overall, Missy’s Studio dancers won eight platinum awards, 10 gold awards, they had six acts to place in the top 10, had two photogenic winners and one top soloist.

Representing Missy’s Studio in the national competition was Ally June VanHook, Livy Ulrich, Cianna Smith, Chloe Smith, Ally Strunk, Lily Smith, Kaylee Abbott, Makayela Banks, Kathryn Alexander and Katie Ulrich.

Ally June VanHook brought home top honors with a national championship soloist title in the 8 & under division. VanHook won first place platinum with her Chim Chim Cheree routine and another platinum with her Sun in the Morning routine.

Makayela Banks and Kathryn Alexander won a first place platinum in the acro category and were seventh overall in the 9 to 12 year-old division.

Ally June VanHook and Cianna Smith won first place in the open category and were 10th overall in the 9 to 12 year-old division.

Lily Smith and Katie Ulrich won first place in the gold musical category.

Livy Ulrich and Chloe Smith won first place gold in the character category and placed seventh in the 8 & under division.

Makayela Banks, Kaylee Abbott, Cianna Smith and Ally June VanHook won first place in the ballet category.

Photogenic winners were Kathryn Alexander (fourth place overall) and Livy Ulrich (eighth place overall).

Solo overall winners included Ally Strunk (fourth place — 8 & under), Chloe Smith (ninth place — 8 & under), Makayela Banks (seventh place — 9 to 12), Kathryn Alexander (eighth place — 9 to 12).

Kaylee Abbott won a gold award in the jazz category, Cianna Smith won a gold award in the jazz category, Katie Ulrich won a first place gold award in the 9 to 12 year-old acro/dance category, Lily Smith won a gold award in the open category, Livy Ulrich won a first place gold award in the character category, Kathryn Alexander won a second place platinum in the open category and Makayela Banks won a third place platinum in the open category.

The award-winning dancers were trained by Missy Keeton (owner of Missy’s Gymnastics and Dance Studio), Shelly Greattinger, Alice VanHook and Ann Alexander.

Missy’s Gymnastics and Dance, which was established in 1971, is now offering classes in ballet, jazz, tap, pre-school classes in gymnastics and competition power tumbling. For more information call Missy’s Studio at 679-2140.