Dancers compete at Rochester

Published 2:43 pm Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Albert Lea Area Dancers competed at the Just For Kix United We Dance competition at Rochester Technical and Community College April 14.

The fourth-grade Just for Kix dancers earned second place in competition at Rochester Technical Community College. Front row from the left are Lexie Abrego, Abigail DeLafosse and Stephanie Redman. Second row from the left are Gracie Tufte, Laynie Bure, Cora Noer, Carissa Nelson and Avery Hill. Third row from the left are Jaden Schumaker, Kayla Senne, Shayanne Sailor, Mikayla Hillman, Hannah Conn and Ashly Yost. Fourth row from the left are Kayla Schmidt, Ellie Wallace, Anna Dahl, Julia Morrow, Brittany Barreda-Yebra, Sarena Ewers and Lydia Levi. Back row from the left are Madison Doyle, Shelby Hanson, Lauren Thunstedt and Cynthia Hererra. Not pictured are Makayla Anderson, Ann Huper, Kyra Madrigal, Emma Piechowski and Jaiden Venem. — Submitted

The fourth-grade Just for Kix dancers earned second place in competition at Rochester Technical Community College. Front row from the left are Lexie Abrego, Abigail DeLafosse and Stephanie Redman. Second row from the left are Gracie Tufte, Laynie Bure, Cora Noer, Carissa Nelson and Avery Hill. Third row from the left are Jaden Schumaker, Kayla Senne, Shayanne Sailor, Mikayla Hillman, Hannah Conn and Ashly Yost. Fourth row from the left are Kayla Schmidt, Ellie Wallace, Anna Dahl, Julia Morrow, Brittany Barreda-Yebra, Sarena Ewers and Lydia Levi. Back row from the left are Madison Doyle, Shelby Hanson, Lauren Thunstedt and Cynthia Hererra. Not pictured are Makayla Anderson, Ann Huper, Kyra Madrigal, Emma Piechowski and Jaiden Venem. — Submitted

The event featured 134 teams and more than 3,000 performers.

Albert Lea achievements: fourth grade earned second place after losing the tie-breaker for first, fifth grade and sixth grade took first, seventh grade earned third place after losing the tie breaker for second, the jazz fourth- through seventh graders won first place and the jazz eighth- through 12th-graders earned second place.

The fifth grade Just for Kix dancers earned first place at Rochester Technical and Community College. From the left are Sydney Nelson, Jacalyn Daniel, Ashley Butt, Madison Daniel and Kaedyn Kirchner. — Submitted

The fifth grade Just for Kix dancers earned first place at Rochester Technical and Community College. From the left are Sydney Nelson, Jacalyn Daniel, Ashley Butt, Madison Daniel and Kaedyn Kirchner. — Submitted

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The Albert Lea Just For Kix program is in its 17th year. Students age 3 to 12th grade can compete. The Just For Kix local director is Aimee Struck.

“We had an amazing day in Rochester. All of the teams performed so well and I am thrilled with the places we received,” Struck said. “It is such an accomplishment for our dancers, and so rewarding for them to earn this recognition.”

The fifth grade Just for Kix dancers earned first place at Rochester Technical and Community College. More photos of the fifth grade Just for Kix dancers are above. In the front row is Jayden Modderman. Middle row from the left are Morgan Swarts, Brynn Moller, Tianna Mithun, Lydia Fluth, Allison Boelman and Alexia Heggestad. Back row from the left are Molly Hulburt, Jacklyn Matson, Emma Turbett, Savannah Talamantes and Lauren Miller. Not pictured are Makayla Benschoter, Alexa Christensen, Jadyn Ellingson, Mallory Evans, Ashley Knutson, Turena Schultz and Shayna Skaar. — Submitted

The fifth grade Just for Kix dancers earned first place at Rochester Technical and Community College. More photos of the fifth grade Just for Kix dancers are above. In the front row is Jayden Modderman. Middle row from the left are Morgan Swarts, Brynn Moller, Tianna Mithun, Lydia Fluth, Allison Boelman and Alexia Heggestad. Back row from the left are Molly Hulburt, Jacklyn Matson, Emma Turbett, Savannah Talamantes and Lauren Miller. Not pictured are Makayla Benschoter, Alexa Christensen, Jadyn Ellingson, Mallory Evans, Ashley Knutson, Turena Schultz and Shayna Skaar. — Submitted

Just For Kix is a national leader in dance instruction and is committed to youth advancement through performance.

Based out of Brainerd, the organization has more than 200 locations nationwide in 10 states.

Annually, the company provides nine United We Dance competitive opportunities for affiliated dance team programs to compete.

Spring registration for new dancers is at 1360 W. Main St. from 4 to 7 p.m.