Locals dance their way into the spotlight

As it prepares for its 11th annual recital, Jamie’s Dance Force is celebrating the successes of its dancers throughout the competitive season.

Three dancers have been recognized as title winners at regional competitions in 2010.

Laura Tinkler, a junior at Canfield High School, won the titles of Miss Starpower and Miss Headliner. During the Starpower event in Columbus, she was awarded five stars, the highest rating possible, for two solo performances and received a Power Pack scholarship. She has been recognized this year as a Nuvo Breakout Artist, Jump VIP, and West Coast Dance Explosion Elite Dancer. She also received a Broadway Dance Center scholarship from West Coast Dance Explosion.

Kelsey Hackstedde, a second-grader at Holy Family School in Poland, was selected as Petite Miss Starpower and as Junior Miss Stage One Star. She won recognition this season as a Nuvo Breakout Artist and West Coast Elite Dancer, received a scholarship from the Jump dance convention and was nominated by Headliners for the U.S. National Dance Team.

Lyndsay Olenych, a freshman at Boardman High School, was named Miss Stage One Star. She finished as runner-up in the Miss Starpower competition, was selected as a Nuvo Breakout Artist and received a scholarship from West Coast Dance Explosion.

Other soloists from Jamie’s Dance Force have enjoyed success this year. Gabriella Hryb, a fifth-grader at Poland McKinley, began performing as a soloist this year with successful outings at Stage One and Starpower.

Natalie DeGenova, a junior at Poland High School, placed third and fourth among senior soloists at Stage One and won a national scholarship from West Coast Dance Explosion and class scholarships from Nuvo and Jump.

Jamie’s Dance Force will hold its recital, “Pride”, today at the Boardman Performing Arts Center, Glenwood Avenue, Boardman. Tickets are on sale at the studio at 590 E. Western Reserve Road, Boardman, and available at the door. For information call 330-758-6668, e-mail jdf6668@zoominternet.net or visit jamiesdanceforce.com.

Joellin Chance, a sophomore at Austintown Fitch High School, placed third among teen soloists at Headliners and Stage One and ninth among senior soloists at Starpower.

Caprie Klacik, a freshman at Boardman High School, finished 10th among teen soloists at Headliners and won a scholarship from Nuvo.

Svetha Nallapeneni, a second-grader at C.H. Campbell Elementary School in Canfield, was runner-up in the Petite Miss Starpower competition and also received a scholarship from West Coast Dance Explosion.

Hannah Strohmeyer, a senior at McDonald High School, placed first among senior soloists at the Stage One competition, was selected as a Nuvo Breakout Artist, and won scholarships from the Shock dance convention and Jump.