The Winona Just for Kix competed in Rochester, Minn., on April 24-28 at the National Together We Dance Competition at the Mayo Civic Center.
On Wednesday, April 24, ninth graders Lanee Rasmussen and Willa Bergler competed in the Junior Solo Division. Both dancers earned a platinum ranking. Lanee finished in sixth place, and Willa finished in ninth place, out of 17 soloists.
On Friday, April 26, the Junior/Senior Kix team competed for the first time ever in Senior Showcase. These dancers are in seventh to 12th grades and were one of 17 teams in the class A division. The Senior Kix team danced to the song “Beautiful People.” The dancers qualified for finals and were awarded fourth place overall.
On Sunday, April 28, all the competition teams competed. Each team saved their best dance for last, as all the Winona teams earned a platinum rating.
The Mini Kix team, which are dancers in fourth to sixth grades, danced a high-kick dance to the song, “September,” and was awarded fifth place.
The Wee Kix team, comprised of dancers in second and third grades, were awarded fourth place with their high-kick dance, “Spice Up Your Life.”
The Mini Hip Hop team, which are dancers in second to sixth grades, performed to the song, “Uno Uno Seis,” was awarded third place, and was Winona’s highest scoring dance of the morning.
The Mini Lyrical team are dancers in fourth to sixth grades and danced to the song, “Open Hands.” These dancers were awarded third place.
In the afternoon sessions, the Junior/Senior lyrical team competed and was awarded first place and danced to the song, “Closure.”
Finishing up the day for Winona was the Junior/Senior Kix team. They are dancers in seventh to 12th grades and danced to the song, “Beautiful People.” The girls were awarded first place in their division, only four points from Double Platinum.
Winona Just for Kix is directed by Michelle Gruber and assisted by Emily Swartling, Hailey Yender, and Nora Leger. Winona Just For Kix is a youth dance program, serving dancers ages three years old up to 12th grade.
Source: Dancers place at national competition
