Just 4 Kicks Academy of Dance owner/operator Wendy Laidlaw said her students competed against dancers from Sudbury to Kitchener, as well as dancers from many Toronto-area studios and local studios from Bracebridge, Huntsville, Orillia and Barrie.

“The marks are not what are important, but the experienced gained by each student,” said Laidlaw. “These hard-working, dedicated students have once again put Gravenhurst on the map. We were able to win several overall awards in a variety of dance disciplines, which is a huge accomplishment for these students.”

The competitive season began with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association competition in Mississauga on March 1 where local dancers earned six golds for their six entries. Gold awards are presented for dances that are marked between 90 and 94 out of 100.

Earning a special award for strength was Just 4 Kicks dancer Jessika Dobie with her piece to the song “Boston”.

The Bedazzled Dance Championships followed April 10-13 in Blue Mountains where dancers received four high golds and 17 emerald awards. High gold awards are presented for dances that are marked between 87 and 90 out of 100, and emerald awards for marks between 90 and 93 out of 100.

Local dancers were also recognized with special awards for most entertaining acro piece for “Leave Your Hat On”, great acro tricks for “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” and great attack on choreography by the senior hip hop group in their piece called “Shhh”.

A hip hop piece called “Old School” was named first overall for a junior group, and “Shhh” won first overall at the senior level. An intermediate hip hop piece called “Come to Me” took second overall, as did the senior jazz group for “Sweet Dreams”. Intermediate tap entry “Pop” won third overall.

Just 4 Kicks performed 25 entries in the Orillia Dance Festival April 24-27, earning five silvers and 20 golds. Silver awards are presented for dances that are marked between 84 and 89 out of 100, while gold awards go to performances that rank between 90 and 94 out of 100.

Several first overall awards were won, including first overall intermediate tap group for “7 Nation Army”, first overall intermediate hip hop piece for “Old School”, first overall duet/trio in jazz for “We Went as Far”, first overall senior hip hop group for “Shhh” and first overall senior jazz group for “Sweet Dreams”.

This year’s competitive season was partially funded by money raised through the Dancers’ Foundation through the support of the community.

The Just 4 Kicks annual recital will be held May 29, 30 and 31 at Gravenhurst Opera House.