Dance students recognized for their hard work

Times Reporter

 

Dance can be a tough sport, with many challenges but also with many rewards. This year four Expressions, the Dance Gallery, EDG, students were recognized for their hard work. 

Neve Raycroft was awarded title of Dancer of the Year and was presented with a $500 scholarship to assist with future dance endeavors. 

Raycroft’s favourite things about dance are the, “costumes and going on stage” and her Broadway baby costume which she wore for her solo this year was her favourite. She has been dancing since she was three-years-old and loves it just as much now as she did then. 

“Use it towards the summer camps (the summer intensive),” said Raycroft about how she plans to spend her scholarship. 

Dance isn’t all fun, and doing bar work is the one thing about dance lessons that she doesn’t like, but her favourite styles of dance are, “jazz and ballet and musical theatre.”

Next year Raycroft is excited about her duet with her friend Erin. 

Alexandra Stewart, 14 was the first runner up and received a $400 scholarship. Three years ago she began dancing. Her sister had joined EDG and Stewart decided to give it a try too.

“I love dance. My favourite style…I’m going to have to say contemporary,” said Stewart.

“I get to meet new people and I just get to have a lot of fun because I’m not into other sports. It’s just a good way to stay active too.”

She too plans to use the money she received for the summer dance intensive program. She usually practices five days a week, and though it’s only been three years she knows she wants to continue with dance in her future.

“I want to go to a school in New York and keep training once I graduate from here,” said Stewart.

Sydni Sundgaard, 7, was the second runner up, winning a $300 dance scholarship. 

She has been dancing since she was two and a half and her favourite style of dance is jazz, which she loves for the music and the beat, plus the spins and jumps. 

She admitted to being surprised when she got the scholarship, and plans to keep dancing at this point. Sundgaard likes the competition dances the best, and her jazz duet was her favourite performance this year. 

“These kids work really hard, even when they are just little they work really hard. Sydni works very hard, practicing at home all the time in between, giving up birthday parties once in awhile,” said Sydni’s mom Sharon Sundgaard. 

Mercedez Allen, 12, was the third runner up and she also received a scholarship in the amount of $200.

“I was super excited,” said Allen. 

“I do tap, jazz and ballet, and I help out with some hip hop.”

Her favourite costume was from when they had a jazz number, and the costume was similar to a dress with all sorts of patterns and colours on it.

“I’m hoping to do a duet next year,” said Allen about how she plans to use her scholarship. Tap is her favourite style of dance because, “I just like the sounds the taps make.”

They all love dance for different reasons, and were all surprised but happy to hear they had been picked to receive scholarships.