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Cloggers hand out awards
 | | The Little Switzerland Cloggers held their annual awards banquet Tuesday, Sept. 18 a the Highland Center. Pictured are: front row (l-r) Kayla Simmons, Instructor Dorothy Stephenson, Ashley Waggoner; second row, Meyer Rexrode, Dawson Colaw; third row Ahna Rexrode, Emily Kimble, Chelsey Isles, Taylor Whitaker; fourth row Julia Billingsley, Jennifer Propst, Rebecca Landrum, and Brittany Young. Members not pictures are Jessie and Jamie Hupman. (Photo courtesy Little Switzerland Cloggers) |
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MONTEREY - On Sept. 18, the Little Switzerland Cloggers held their annual awards banquet to recognize the hard work of the group's youth and their parents and grandparents.
Instructor Dorothy Stephenson welcomed everyone and congratulated the group on another wonderful year.
President Margy Rexrode and treasurer Jaunda Holsinger were recognized for all the hard work and dedication they have given to the group this past year.
LSC members voted to promote Stephenson to be instructor and business manager for the group.
LSC welcomed five beginners. Taylor Whitaker, Dawson Colaw, Julia Billingsley, and Jessie and Jamie Hupman started their clogging careers this year. They all received the Rising Star Award. "All the beginners are musically talented. They are going to be a real asset to the group once they develop their skills more. They are all great fun to have in class. I enjoy them so much,"said Stephenson.
Ahna Colaw and Rebecca Landrum completed their second year with LSC. "Besides the first year dancers, Ahna and Rebecca are the least experienced in the group. But that didn't stop either of them from learning many steps that I thought would be very difficult for them. They both amazed me this year," said Stephenson.
Colaw was recognized with the Step Up award for stepping up to a much harder level of dancing and never backing down from the challenge of learning advanced steps.
Landrum received the Determination award for her consistent dedication and determination to learn her steps correctly and execute them accurately. Stephenson recalled a time when she heard a story about Landrum waking up people sleeping in her house at 2 a.m. because she was practicing clogging.
"When Meyer is onstage, the audience is drawn to him," said Stephenson. "He has worked very hard to develop the skills that leaves audiences in nothing less than amazement. I love working with him and seeing his skills develop. He teaches me a lot too." This year, Meyer Rexrode received the Audience Appeal award.
"Chelsey has many talents. She is a boiling pot of entertainment getting ready to overflow. She can dance like nobody's business, she has an amazing ear for music and she's a hoot - she can shoot a one liner like you wouldn't believe. She's just an all around joy to have in class. She keeps me on my toes," Stephenson said with a smile. Chelsey Isles earned the Fancy Footwork award for the development of her steps.
Stephenson set herself up for a challenge with Emily Kimble's award. "I'll bet that if I closed my eyes and heard all the kids dance individually I could pick out Emily. I'll get challenged with that next Tuesday," she laughed, "Emily has wonderful sound. Some of the best sound in the group. She just has an ear for it and a natural talent for clogging. Kimble earned the Sound Award.
"I love having Jennifer in the group. She keeps me laughing all the time, she fun to be around, and she's not afraid of a challenge. She'll do just about anything she possible can for me whether it's learning a challenging advanced step or routine to helping me with the latest LSC project to giving me teaching advice (being a teacher herself)," said Stephenson, "She gets better and better all the time and I just love having her around. Jennifer Propst received the Challenge Award."
Brittany Young was awarded the Showmanship Award this year for her increased skill in showmanship and presentation during performances. "Some spark has just hit Brittany this year. She's just got this energy and quality on stage that she has never had before. She is growing and becoming a better and more well rounded dancer and entertainer every day. I love watching her excel in clogging," said Stephenson.
"When Kayla is in practice there is another level of fun added. She's just Kayla. She's got her own loveable, fun-loving qualities that just brighten a room, namely our practice room. Before I taught LSC, me and Kayla were students together. I always loved dancing with her. She's was younger than me but even as a kid, she just had that special element that made you have to smile when you were around her. That quality has never faded away. I love dancing with her," said Stephenson. Kayla Simmons earned the Fun-Lovin' Award.
"Ashley has made the crossover this year to a professional entertainer. She knows what she needs to do to entertain an audience and she does it. She has learned that when you are a performer you do not always dance and perform the way you want to but rather how the audience wants you to. She stepped up her stage presence this year. I feel like when she dances, she really tries to connect with her audience. She is a very mature young lady and I am lucky to have her around. She has been the clogging glue that held me together a lot this year. We have grown very close," said Stephenson. Ashley Waggoner was awarded the Entertainer Award.
The LSC members gave Stephenson a pair of new shoes and a red mum. "I really needed those shoes. My present pair is going on two years, they've seen better days. The mum was just beautiful! I love these kids and this group so much. This is my clogging home, this is where it all started for me. LSC holds a special place in my heart, they always will. These kids are more than just my students, they are my friends and I love them to death!" said Stephenson.
For information on the Little Switzerland Cloggers, contact Dorothy Stephenson at (540) 280- 7975.
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