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Dance academy racks up awards at nationals

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Ramona-Julian Academy of Dance captured an abundance of awards at the Encore Performing Arts National Finals in Las Vegas July 5 through 9.

“It’s amazing,” said Kristine Griffin, owner of RJAD, noting that 30 dance studios participated.

RJAD’s Rachel Hernandez and Jenny Hatfield garnered one of two choreographer awards presented at the finals, Griffin said. In addition, three groups received the Grand Slam Invite to compete at the top level of the national competition.

Students participating at nationals were: Macy Bailey, Mimi Farrell, Natalie Hoertig, Isabella Pepich, Avery Lantz, Katelyn Sampson, Elaina Shohara, Haley Lehr, Sadie Blackwood, Haylee Myers, Kellen Vought, Kennedy Ireland, Adrianna Eckert, Emma Hall, Alexiah Anderson, Riley Gotowala, Destiny Cooley, Hannah Madison, Caylie Miller, Lucinda Salazar, Kayla Gibson, Brynnan Cruz, Grace Walters, Desirae Kosut, Sonja Fortier, Mikah Rameriz, Alexis Keyser, Taylor Reagan, Peyton Weber, Heather Wash, Kyla Osuna, Kaylee Halter, Avery Hagler, Laura Gottas, Karissa Brown, Genevieve Wallace, Addison Cruz, Morgan Kneeshaw, Jadyn Hogan, Haley Simonds, Raven Teafatiller, Katie Drum, Grace Drum, Starla Vang, Anna Miller, Karlee Lazelere-Higuerra, Skylynn Wilson, Farrah Dixon and Sara Kneeshaw.

TEAM AWARDS

Stitches (advance acro), choreographed by Brittany Onder and Alex Eckert — High Gold.

The Box (contemporary), choreographed by Alex Eckert — Platinum, 3rd Place overall in teen small groups and Grand Slam Invite.

Slow Down (tap), choreographed by Samantha Jenkins and Rachel Hernandez — Ultra High Gold.

My New Philosophy (acro), choreographed by Brittany Onder and Stephanie Hoertig — Platinum, 1st Place overall in petite small groups, Top Petite Group overall, Most Entertaining, and Grand Slam Invite.

Everything is Awesome (tap), choreographed by Jenny Hatfield and Brittany Onder — Ultra High Gold and 9th Place overall in petite small groups.

Shake Zone (hip hop), choreographed by Taylor Romero and Brittany Onder — Ultra High Gold.

Urban Jungle (intermediate acro), choreographed by Brittany Onder and Stephanie Hoertig — Ultra High Gold and 8th Place overall in junior small groups.

Feed the Birds (ballet), choreographed by Rachel Hernandez — Ultra High Gold, 1st Place overall in junior large groups, and Grand Slam Invite.

Castaways (character), choreographed by Jenny Hatfield and Rachel Hernandez — Platinum, 1st Place overall in teen large groups, and Choreography Award.

SOLO AWARDS

Boots, Destiny Cooley — Ultra High Gold and 8th Place overall in teen solos.

There’s a Sucker Born Every Minute, Sonja Fortier — Ultra High Gold and 9th Place overall in teen solos.

Dedicated to You, Adrianna Eckert — Platinum and 3rd Place overall in senior solos.

Sea Cruise, Alexis Keyser — Ultra High Gold and 9th Place overall in petite solos.

Hero in Me, Peyton Weber — Ultra High Gold and 13th Place overall in petite solos.

Rotten to the Core, Taylor Reagan — High Gold and 15th Place overall in petite solos.

Pop Drop and Roll, Elaina Shohara — Ultra High Gold and 7th Place overall in junior solos.

Things will get Better, Kennedy Ireland — High Gold.

The Black Pearl, Mimi Farrell — Ultra High Gold and 4th Place overall in junior solos.

Trust a Try, Isabella Pepich — Ultra High Gold and 11th Place in junior solos.

Day of the Dead, Kellen Vought — Ultra High Gold.

Bring me to life, Laura Gottas — High Gold.

Diva Zone, Haylee Myers — High Gold.

Born to Entertain, Karissa Brown — High Gold.

DUET AWARDS

Daddy Come Home, Addison and Brynnan Cruz — High Gold.

I Can’t do it Alone, Elaina Shohara and Katelyn Sampson — Ultra High Gold.

LIT, Mikah Rameriz and Adrianna Eckert — Ultra High Gold.

The dance academy also received awards and was honored as overall division winner at Encore’s regional competition this spring. It is gearing up for its 30th annual recital in 2017.

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