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MARSHALL – Inspired Southwest School of Dance members “really cleaned up,” at its latest competition, said SWSD Director Charlotte Wendel, and shared a special story in the process.
The Southwest School of Dance took home more than 25 first-place wins and several notable awards at the DanZa regional competition Feb. 26-28 in Minneapolis.
All of the advanced dances took first place, noted the SWSD dancers.
“It was bigger than Omaha,” said SWSD instructor Breanna Ahmann.
“It was a lot busier, lots of people,” Lexie Dulas said.
One of the dances performed at the regional competition was Carterstrong, in memory of Carter Boerboom of Marshall, who died of Ewing’s Sarcoma last year at age 14. Carter’s mother, Susan Geske, teaches dance at the studio.
“We have all gotten to know her,” Breanna Ahmann said
Ahmann said they were inspired by Carter’s story to perform the dance in honor of him.
For the piece, Ahmann said radio interviews on Carter’s story was intermingled with the song “Jealous of the Angels.”
The dancers said Geske and her daughter, Katie Boerboom, were present to watch them perform Carterstrong on the Minneapolis stage.
“It was very emotional for them,” Ahmann said.
“It was a lot more emotional onstage than in practice,” Dulas said.
“When we got offstage almost everyone was crying,” Sophie Louwagie said. Alyssa Ahmann said the dance received a standing ovation from the audience.
Breanna Ahmann said the dancers will continue to present Carterstrong.
“We hope to be able to perform this song for dinner theater so the Marshall community can see it,” Ahmann said. The dinner theater is set for April 10.
Breanna Ahmann said the Carterstrong piece means a lot and is a way for people to remember his name.
“The more we can share his story, the better,” she said.
Nicole Thovson received the Great Aspiration award at the competition. She said it was because she performed all of her dances well.
“Her consistency stuck out of her dances,” Breanna Ahmann said.
“I held up my upper body really well,” Thovson said.
Alyssa Ahmann and Allie Bottelberghe received an overall high score for their lyrical dance “Halo.”
“We just went out there and did our best,” Bottelberghe said. The two said they performed between 12 to 14 dances that day.
Dulas noted that the judges gave good comments on their dances and costumes.
Thovson said the dancers worked better together to achieve success at Minneapolis. Alexis Baynard said they’ve become better friends with the Minneapolis competition, which also helped. The dancers said they work hard, sometimes coming in on weekends to work on their routines.
Diminuendo, which was choreographed by Danielle Gies, received the Best Choreography award. The dancers said it was an interesting modern piece.
“It was unpredictable,” Thovson said.
Dulas said the dance was dark.
“The music was intense,” she said.
First-place awards
Primary: Reflections, Me and My Girls (jazz), Heart of the Gael, Minuetto (Ella Cole, Halle Roos, Emily Soehl)
Youth: Concerto in D, Walk Like An Egyptian (Natalie Johnson), All for Love (Jordan Kunkel), Missing You (Kestlyn WIllert), Allegro (Emma Kepler), Can’t Help Falling in Love
Advanced: Thunderstruck, Concerto in A, How Deep Is Your Love (pointe), Carterstrong, Pearl (modern E), Gospel Truth, Halo, That Man – Tap E, Munnibadhamm (Keelin Louwagie), Last Love Song, Summer (Nicole Thovson, Sophie Louwagie), Diminuendo, Black Violin (Alyssa Ahmann), Embers, Experience (Nicole Thovson), Stone Cold, Intergalatic Circus, Big Noise, Asturias, Fire Water
Great Aspiration – Nicole Thovson
Starz
Primary: Ella Cole, Reagan Boerboom, Jocelyn Schlenner
Youth: Taya Weber, Jordan Kunkel, Kestyln Willert, Emma Kepler, Maya Roos, Natalie Johnson, Michaela Bosveld
Advanced: Alyssa Ahmann, Nicole Thovson, Lauren Noriega, Abby Johnson, Rhyana Juutilainen, Keelin Louwagie
Special awards
Best Costume: Primary – Heart of the Gael; Youth – Walk Like An Egyptian (Natalie Johnson); Advance – Summer
Best Choreography: Diminuendo
High Score awards
Solo: Reagan Boerboom, fourth runner-up; Ella Cole, second runner-up
Duo: Minuetto (Emily Soehl, Halle Roos, Ella Cole), first runner-up
Small group: Me and My Girl, high score runner-up
Youth: Emma Kepler, Allegro, first runner-up
Advance: Nicole Thovson, Experience, third runner-up; Summer (Sophie Louwagie, Nicole Thovson), second runner-up; Gospel Truth (Elizabeth Louwagie, Alexa Baynard, Lexie Dulas), first runner-up; Halo (Allie Bottelberghe, Alyssa Ahmann), high score
High score small group: Diminuendo; Stone Cold, second runner-up
Large group: Thunderstruck, first runner-up
High Score: Last Love Song, lyrical
Advance, line
High score: Big Noise; Pearl (modern E), first runner-up
High score 15-16 mini production: Carterstrong
High score maxi production: Intergalactic Circus of Wonders, first runner-up; high score – Asturius (pro ballet)
Zenith Award – overall high score
Primary trio ballet: Minuetto, first runner-up
High score for competition: Gospel Truth, second runner-up; Halo, first runner-up; Asturius, high score