The Albert Lea Just For Kix dance program was honored with an award for team excellence during the 2015 competition season at the Just For Kix annual convention Aug. 2 to 4 at at Forestview Middle School and The Legacy at Cragun’s Resort, according to a press release.

Albert Lea Just For Kix director Aimee Struck and Holly Jackson attended the convention.

“Holly and I were very excited our dancers were recognized for not only their amazing dancing at the competitions, but also their sportsmanship,” said Struck. “That speaks volumes about our Kix dancers and what we represent.”

Struck is starting her 20th year directing the Albert Lea Just For Kix program.

Jackson will become the new Albert Lea Director once Struck relocates to Colorado Springs, Colorado, Struck said.

Over 153 youth program directors from Minnesota, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and South Dakota attended the convention.

The convention offered educational and programming classes to assist in furthering curriculums and had sessions about resources for program development. There were also several active dance classes focusing on the upcoming performance season. Classes offered included hip-hop, jazz, kick, lyrical, pom, musical theater, ballet and novelty.

For 30 years, Just For Kix has had a directors convention. Just For Kix orchestrates youth dance programs in 13 states at about 210 locations for over 20,000 youth dancers.

The Albert Lea Just For Kix dance program offers kick, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and pom dance classes for youth ages 3 to 12th grade. Students can enroll at any time.