Champions 2026
CONGRATULATIONS to our 2026–2027 WINNERS!
We are proud of every one of you!
Memorial Scholarships
Awarded in loving memory of Jackie O’Neal, Nora Nash, and Kim Baer
Jackie O’Neal Memorial Scholarship – $250
Studio: DCOM
Recipient: Lakyn Glass
Nora Nash Memorial Scholarship – $150
Studio: Dancers Inc
Recipient: Jocelyn Watson
Kim Baer Memorial Scholarship – $200 (12 & Under)
Presented by Mollie Mullican
Studio: Sophia Melton – BDT
Kim Baer Memorial Scholarship – $200 (13 & Over)
Studio: Daisy Green – Dancers Inc
Studio MVP Awards
(Each MVP receives a $50 Scholarship for the 2026 Convention)
Birmingham Dance Theater – Mary Christian Peters
Dancers Incorporated
– Josie Claire Stewart
Dothan School of Dance
– Kinley Jackson
The Dance Center on Main
– Ashlyn Kirk
2026-2027 Protégés
Petite
Malone King – DSD
Mary Chase Ellis – DSD
Gloria Slovensky – BDT
Emery Wagnon – Dancers Inc
Emerson Blaney – Dancers Inc
Blakely May – BDT
Yates Chappell – BDT
Demi Neece – BDT
Betts Packard – BDT
Hattie White – BDT
Junior
Anne Carlyle Sasser – BDT
Fleming Haughton – BDT
Maggie Holt – BDT
Noa Shillabeer – DSD
Mariah Staples – DCOM
Lilah Mayfield – BDT
Vivienne Shillabeer – DSD
Nora Houston – BDT
Lola Laye – DSD
Ella Kate Cullen – BDT
Tinsley Anderson – BDT
Sarah Katherine Schilling – BDT
Teen
Bella Borganelli – BDT
Elle Wells – DSD
Aubree Marvin – DCOM
Isabella Tran – DSD
Taylor Andre – DSD
Macie Chitwood – Dancers Inc
Westyn Vandiver – Dancers Inc
Avery Streensland – DSD
Abigail Marvin – DCOM
Alissa Gembe – DCOM
Eisley Harrell – DSD
Daisy Green – Dancers Inc
Emma Whitt – BDT
Chelsea Stone – DCOM
Lydia White – BDT
Senior
Brindlee White – Dancers Inc
Kaylynn Batemon – DSD
Keaton Reece – BDT
Claire Adams – Dancers Inc
Kate Hendon – DCOM
Petite Dancer of the Weekend
Lottie Schillabeer – DSD
Harper Swann – BDT
Junior Dancer of the Weekend
Isla Pflugner – DSD
Kinley Jackson – DSD
Teen Dancer of the Weekend
Kennedy Milsap – DSD
harlie Stone – DCOM
Senior Dancer of the Weekend
Mallory Ritchie – Jackie Oneal School of Dance
Tess Rushing – The Dance Center on Main
Scholarship Audition Awards
12 & Under:
Ballet
3rd – Milly Powell / BDT
2nd – Sarah Katherine Schilling / BDT
1st – Vivienne Shillabeer / DSD
Tap
3rd – Anne Carlyle Sasser / BDT
2nd – Milly Powell / BDT
1st – Vivienne Shillabeer / DSD
Jazz
3rd – Anne Carlyle Sasser / BDT
2nd – Malone King / DSD
1st – Sarah Katherine Schilling / BDT
Acro
3rd – Milly Powell / BDT
2nd – Sydney Toma / BDT
1st – Anne Carlyle Sasser / BDT
12 & Under Overall
3rd ($300) – Nora Houston / BDT
2nd ($400) – Noa Shillabeer / DSD
1st ($500) – Isla Pflugner / DSD
13 & Over:
Ballet
3rd – Claire Adams / Dancers Inc
2nd – Charlie Stone / DCOM
1st – Eisley Harrell / DSD
Tap
3rd – Tess Rushing / DCOM
2nd – Claire Adams / Dancers Inc
1st – Charlie Stone / DCOM
Jazz
3rd – Tess Rushing / DCOM
2nd – Kaylynn Batemon / DSD
1st – Charlie Stone / DCOM
Acro
3rd – Charlie Stone / DCOM
2nd – Tess Rushing / DCOM
1st – Claire Adams / Dancers Inc
13 & Under Overall
3rd ($300) – Avery Steensland / DSD
2nd ($400) – Westyn Vandiver / Dancers Inc
1st ($500) – Kennedy Milsapp / DSD
Interview Experience Awards
12 & Under:
3rd – Kennedy Dickerson / Dancers Inc
2nd – Sarah Katherine Schilling / BDT
1st ($50) – Molly Adams / Dancers Inc
13 & Over:
3rd – Sofia Williams / BDT
2nd – Mollie Mullican / Dancers Inc
1st ($50) – Charlie Stone / DCOM
Additional Scholarships
Platinum Dance Convention – Free Convention Entry
12 & Under – Laura Layne King / DSD
13 & Over – Janie Lewis / Vestavia Dance
Platinum Dance Events – Full Scholarship
12 & Under – Ellie Reynolds / Dancers Inc
13 & Over – Kenton Hill / BDT
Platinum Nationals / Dance Collective – Free Solo Entry
12 & Under – Jaylee Stone / DCOM
13 & Over – Avery Minnich / BDT
Elite Grand Champion Performances
12 & Under
Studio: Dothan School of Dance
Dancer: Cassandra
13 & Over
Studio: Birmingham Dance Theatre
Dancer: Rhi-Mix
Additional Awards & Scholarships
DC Tap Fest
Full – Jocelyn Watson / Dancers Inc
Half – Noa Shillabeer / Dothan School of Dance
Artist Simply Human Nationals – Full Convention
12 & Under – Malone King / DSD
13 & Over – Mollie Mullican / Dancers Inc
Surge at Birmingham Dance Theater – Full Scholarship
Recipient – Kelsey Lawhorn
Dothan School of Dance Summer Intensive – Full Tuition (2)
Milly Powell – BDT
Keaton Reece – BDT
JV “Gaykee” Goecke Jump Start Boot Camp
12 & Under – Mariah Staples / DCOM
13 & Over – Isabella Tran / DSD
Southern Union State Community College – Full Scholarship to Fine Arts Camp
Kenton Hill – BDT
Rise 2 Stardom – $1,000 Scholarships
Petite / Junior
Libby Huddleston – BDT
Caroline Thrasher – BDT
Harper Swann – BDT
Penny Jo Foster – DCOM
Malone King – DSD
Mary Chase Ellis – DSD
Mari Joe Everett – DCOM
Addison Whitt – BDT
Stella Jane Brandt – BDT
Nora Leigh Packard – BDT
Stella Williamson – DCOM
Greenlee Messer – DCOM
Teen / Senior
Genelle Smith – Dancers Inc
Addison Shonesy – Vestavia Dance
Westyn Vandiver – Dancers Inc
Eisley Harrell – DSD
Mylee Albright – DCOM
Emma Whitt – BDT
Trinnity Henkle – Artistry in Motion
Mallory Ritchie – Jackie O
Kaylynn Batemon – DSD
Tess Rushing – DCOM
Kate Hendon – DCOM
Avery Munich – BDT
Discovery Spotlight – $1,000 Scholarships
Petite / Junior
Eloise Stephen – Vestavia Dance
Millie Mitchell – BDT
Jane Parker – DSD
Anne Allan Leonard – Vestavia Dance
Laura Lane King – DSD
Lucy Watkins – Vestavia Dance
Sydney Toma – BDT
Kennedy Dickerson – Dancers Inc
Jaylee Stone – DCOM
Tinsley Anderson – BDT
Vivienne Shillabeer – DSD
Jocelyn Watson – Dancers Inc
Teen / Senior
Olivia Wakefield – Dancers Inc
Maddie Smith – Dancers Inc
Elle Wells – DSD
Addison Daniel – BDT
Aubree Marvin – DCOM
Alissa Gembe – DCOM
Brindlee White – Dancers Inc
Keaton Reece – BDT
Kenton Hill – BDT
Avery Minnich – BDT
Macie Chitwood – Dancers Inc
Lydia White – BDT
