Seniors
Meet our Seniors 2012…
McLane Harding
When I was three years old, I started dancing and have been doing so ever since. After moving to Tifton in first grade, I joined Mrs. C’s dance studio where I got to wear my favorite Tigger costume for our Winnie the Pooh recital. Now, I’m a senior, and I can hardly believe it. Time really has flown by. Through the years, I’ve learned how to arabesque, assemblé, and bourrée. I’ve learned to always point my toes. But more than any of that, I’ve learned to give 110% in everything that I do and to continue to keep my chin up, no matter what. My family at the dance studio taught me this. I am so incredibly excited to be a senior and I feel so blessed to be able to share my last year at the studio with eight lovely girls who have become like sisters to me. Thanks to these girls and all my fellow dancers at the studio, Mrs. C, Mallory, my family, and my friends for all the love, guidance, and support. We are going to have an amazing year!
Rue Hobgood
Hello! My Name is Rue Hobgood. This year begins a bittersweet transition for me as a senior at the dance studio. I have been dancing with Mrs. “C” since I was 3 years old. 14 years later, I am very excited to finally be a senior. I am a student at Tiftarea Academy where I also cheer, play basketball and soccer, and run track. Of all the extracurricular activities I have taken part in, dance has left the biggest impression on me. It has taught me discipline and poise while also having a blast. Any bad day can be solved with a day at the studio. I will always treasure my gray days that the lovely ladies at the studio turned completely. I have taken ballet, tap and jazz for my entire time at the studio, and hip-hop for the last 4 years. I would never trade the memories I have gathered over the past years. I cannot wait to see what this last year has in store for my fellow seniors and me!
Catheryn Kightlinger
I’m Catheryn and I’m a senior at TCHS!!! Dancing at the studio has been the highlight of the past 8 years. Time has flown but it has been a great ride. Mrs.Carolyn, Mrs.Mallory, and Mrs.Missy have taught me so much about dance and being the best I can be. Dancing has taught me dedication and always makes me smile. I’d like to thank my parents for supporting my dancing for 15 years and my brother for sitting through dozens of shows. I can’t wait to see what amazing fun things I will get to do with my friends and fellow seniors. Recital will be the most exciting part of the year and I hope you come and enjoy!
Nicole Newsom
Ever since I stood up on the fireplace in as a little girl and yelled, “Tah-dah!!!” my parents knew that I would be a performer. After being involved in theatre and singing, I finally found my passion-dance! In the 3rd grade, in North Carolina , a little shy girl stumbled into the dance studio and found the love of her life (besides God and Jesus). Of course, I’ll never forget my first visit to the Carolyn Ellis dance studio. Everyone in troope said their name, and then Mrs. C told me that I’d be expected to remember them all the next time I visited (what a laugh!). Dance and this studio have become a major part of me, and definitely made me who I am today. I learned respect, responsibility, perseverance, dedication, patience, and SO MUCH MORE! But none of this would be possible without all of the amazing people who helped me along the way. I’d like to thank Mrs. C, Mrs. Mallory, Mrs. Missy, Mrs. Misty, and Ms. Ginny for guiding me every step of the way (even when I took the studio phone home with me). To the Silver Lining dancers, I love every single one of you, past and present, and y’all have been the best sisters that anyone could possibly have. You are my extended family. Carly Anne and Brantley, thanks for being there through all of the hours and hours of dance recitals and competitions. But even more importantly, I love my mom and dad, for making my life possible and always being there for me. I’d be nowhere without you, and thanks for giving me the opportunity to DANCE!!! Hope to see everyone at the dance recital in May 2012!
Leslie Norburg
I can’t believe that thirteen years ago I was trying on my ballet shoes for the first time and entering the pink-walled studio with shakey knees while watching the “big girls” dance across the floor. Wow have things changed over the years! I am no longer the little girl that looked up to Miss C so earnestly, but now I am looking down on her (by height of course! I will always admire Miss C in every way!). This year is definitely bittersweet, but I am thrilled to be spending it with the eight other incredible seniors! First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the talent and love of dance. I would like to thank my parents for being my biggest fans throughtout the years. Thanks to my daddy who has been to every single one of my performances and even rehearsals, to my mom who has supported me in everything I do and now has a case of the dancing fever, and also to my extended family for encouraging me to live my dream. Thanks to all of the girls in the studio that have made my dance experience even more amazing. Thanks to Miss C, Mallory, Ginny, and Ms. Missy for not only teaching me how to dance, but teaching me how to follow my heart. And thanks to my Silver Lining family, especially my fellow seniors, who have created a strong sisterhood in my life that can never be broken. Dance has taught me dedication, confidence,discipline, patience, and respect. It is a part of my life that will not ever be forgotten. This is going to be a fabulous year! I love you all and remember to keep on dancing!
Kelsey Rice
Hey ya’ll! I’m Kelsey, and I’m 17 and a SENIOR at Tift County High School. I can’t believe this year has finally come! I have changed physically, emotionally, and mentally since my first year at Carolyn Ellis School of Dance. When my mama first registered me for dance in second grade, I cried and prayed that she wouldn’t make me go… If only I had known what a blessing and honor it is to be a part of such a great dance family! Mrs. Carolyn, Mrs. Mallory, and Ms. Ginny have been my mentors and heroes throughout all of my dancing years, and I will cherish every moment I had inside the studio’s “four pink walls” for the rest of my life. Not only have I made lifelong friends, but I have learned strength, respect, responsibility, and love from my experiences in dance. Being a part of Silver Lining Competition Dance Team has encouraged me to be open to challenges and to NEVER say “I can’t.” First and foremost I thank God for giving me the love of dance and the ability to pursue my dancing dreams. Also, my parents and family have supported me through every dance class, competition, Perry Fair, Hometown Holiday, Love Affair, and Recital and I will forever be grateful to them. Dance has changed my life forever, and I simply hope you find the love I have for it inside of you as well! Let’s make this year the best one yet!
Cori Beth Sutton
Cori Beth is a senior at Worth County High School . She has been dancing for 9 years and feels so incredibly blessed to be part of such an awesome dance family. Cori Beth would like to encourage each of you to maintain a positive self image and find your inner beauty. “The King is enthralled by your beauty. Psalm 45:11″
Laura Vellidis
Hey y’all! I can’t believe that it’s already my senior year! I’ve come a long way since my first pair of ballet shoes in 1997, and now, 14 years later, I still love every minute of dancing between these four pink walls. Dance has taught me patience, discipline, dedication, and to enjoy every accomplishment. I am blessed to have been under the careful guidance of Ms. Carolyn, Mallory, Mrs. Missy, and Ginny these past years and am extremely grateful for the time they have put in to inspire each dancer who has ever come to Carolyn Ellis School of Dance. During my time at the studio, I have had the amazing opportunity to be a part of All That Glitters Dance Troope and Silver Lining Competition Dance Team and to perform at Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. Of course, I could not have done any of this without my wonderful family, and I am thankful for their unconditional love and support. I will forever cherish the memories and the friends I’ve made here, but I’m excited to spend this year with my fellow seniors and can’t imagine what an amazing year we have ahead of us!