March 9, 2023 - During Comal ISD’s All-District Dance Showcase on Feb. 28, seven seniors were awarded scholarships totaling $4,750 for the impact that dance has had on their lives.
Three levels of scholarships were awarded including gold, worth $1,000; silver, worth $750; and bronze, worth $500. Scholarship applicants submitted essays that explained how dance at Comal ISD impacted their lives as well as how they plan to use the skills they’ve learned in dance for their futures.
The gold scholarship was awarded to Grace Guest from Smithson Valley High School. Dance director from SVHS Melanie Phillips says Guest is resilient, hardworking and dedicated.
“She consistently pushes her teammates and herself to be the best they can be,” Phillips says.
The silver scholarship was awarded to three students including Hannah Stemig from SVHS, Ayla Justus from SVHS and Lucy Wells from Canyon Lake High School.
The bronze scholarship was awarded to three students including Casey Guba from SVHS, Caroline Beach from SVHS and Grace Conley from Canyon High School.
Both high school and middle school dance teams performed the competition pieces for family, friends and community members with a finale dance performed by All-District dancers from each of the district’s high schools.
Competition pieces included jazz, contemporary, pom, hip hop, lyrical, and more. This evening is truly the culmination of hours of practice for every dancer, and a highlight for the district.
The following middle school teams performed: Canyon Middle School Topcats, Church Hill Middle School StarCats, Danville Middle School Darlings, Mountain Valley Middle School Emerald Stars, Pieper Ranch Middle School Charmers, Smithson Valley Middle School Sweethearts and the Spring Branch Middle School Silver Stars.
The following high school teams performed: CHS Aristocats, CHS JV Cougarettes, CLHS Ballroom Team II, CLHS First Class Ballroom, CLHS Emerald Dancers, Davenport High School Diamonds, DHS JV Dazzlers, Pieper High School Legacies, PHS JV Legends, SVHS Silver Spurs and SVHS JV Silverados.
The teams followed up this showcase with the Showmakers of America (SMA) competition on March 3-5 at Texas State University. This competition is equal to a ‘state’ competition for dance teams. This year, 35 teams competed.
Dance Team Awards
- Canyon Lake Ballroom Teams – 1st place Co-Ed Team SMA State
- Church Hill Middle School – 1st place Small Team and Officer Group Middle School Crowd Pleaser State competition
- Mountain Valley Middle School – 2nd place Small Team Middle School SMA State
- Pieper High School – 1st place XS Team and 3rd Overall Team SMA State
- Smithson Valley Middle School – 1st place Large Team and Officer Group Middle School SMA State
- Smithson Valley High School – 1st place Small Team High School Varsity, 3rd place officer group and 2nd place Overall Team SMA State
- Spring Branch Middle School – 1st place Small Team Middle School SMA State
Individual Solo Dance Awards
- Sydney Fountain, SVHS – 1st place 11th-12th grade category SMA State
- Estee Kuhn, SVHS - 1st place 9th-10th grade category SMA State
Duet Dance Awards
- Sydney Fountain and Sadie Salas, SVHS – 1st place SMA State
-Seven Comal ISD seniors were awarded scholarships at the All-District Dance Showcase on Feb. 28. Pictured from left is Smithson Valley High School Dance Director Melanie Phillips, Caroline Beach, Ayla Justus, Casey Guba, Hannah Stemig, Grace Guest, Canyon Lake High School Dance Director Sarah Grudle, Lucy Wells, Samantha Vrazel, Grace Conley and Canyon High School Dance Director Taylor Goodman.
-The All-District Dance Showcase on Feb. 28 ended with a finale dance performed by all-district dancers from representing each Comal ISD high school.