Let’s Celebrate!
AWARDS AND HONORS 2026–2027 SEASON
Dance Masters of America
Southeastern Chapter #33
In 2025, we were excited to announce our scholarship award total of $24,500...
Now, in 2026—
We proudly awarded over $40,000 in scholarships!
Memorial Scholarships
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
Elite Grand Champion
12 & Under
Studio: Dothan School of Dance
Dance: Cassandra
13 & Over
Studio: Birmingham Dance Theatre
Dance: Rhi-Mix
Scholarship Audition Awards
12 & Under
Ballet
3rd Place: Milly Powell / BDT
2nd Place: Sarah Katherine Schilling / BDT
1st Place: Vivienne Shillabeer / DSD
Tap
3rd Place: Anne Carlyle Sasser / BDT
2nd Place: Milly Powell / BDT
1st Place: Vivienne Shillabeer / DSD
Jazz
3rd Place: Anne Carlyle Sasser / BDT
2nd Place: Malone King / DSD
1st Place: Sarah Katherine Schilling / BDT
Acro
3rd Place: Milly Powell / BDT
2nd Place: Sydney Toma / BDT
1st Place: Anne Carlyle Sasser / BDT
12 & Under Overall
3rd Place ($300): Nora Houston / BDT
2nd Place ($400): Noa Shillabeer / DSD
1st Place ($500): Isla Pflugner / DSD
13 & Over
Ballet
3rd Place: Claire Adams / Dancers Inc
2nd Place: Charlie Stone / DCOM
1st Place: Eisley Harrell / DSD
Tap
3rd Place: Tess Rushing / DCOM
2nd Place: Claire Adams / Dancers Inc
1st Place: Charlie Stone / DCOM
Jazz
3rd Place: Tess Rushing / DCOM
2nd Place: Kaylynn Batemon / DSD
1st Place: Charlie Stone / DCOM
Acro
3rd Place: Charlie Stone / DCOM
2nd Place: Tess Rushing / DCOM
1st Place: Claire Adams / Dancers Inc
13 & Over Overall
3rd Place ($300): Avery Steensland / DSD
2nd Place ($400): Westyn Vandiver / Dancers Inc
1st Place ($500): Kennedy Milsapp / DSD
Interview Experience Awards
12 & Under
3rd Place: Kennedy Dickerson / Dancers Inc
2nd Place: Sarah Katherine Schilling / BDT
1st Place ($50): Molly Adams / Dancers Inc
13 & Over
3rd Place: Sofia Williams / BDT
2nd Place: Mollie Mullican / Dancers Inc
1st Place ($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
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
Eloise Stephen – 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
Additional Awards & Scholarships
DC Tap Fest
Full Scholarship: Jocelyn Watson – Dancers Inc
Half Scholarship: 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)
Recipient 1: Milly Powell – BDT
Recipient 2: 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
Recipient: Kenton Hill – BDT
Troy University
CONGRATS!
2026 Protégés & Dancers of the Weekend
Petite Protégés
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
Petite Dancers of the Weekend
Lottie Schillabeer – DSD
Harper Swann – BDT
Junior Protégés
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
Junior Dancers of the Weekend
Isla Pflugner – DSD
Kinley Jackson – DSD
Teen Protégés
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
Teen Dancers of the Weekend
Kennedy Milsap – DSD
Charlie Stone – DCOM
Senior Protégés
Brindlee White – Dancers Inc
Kaylynn Batemon – DSD
Keaton Reece – BDT
Claire Adams – Dancers Inc
Kate Hendon – DCOM
Senior Dancers of the Weekend
Mallory Ritchie – Jackie Oneal School of Dance
Tess Rushing – The Dance Center on Main
Congrats to all of these dancers!
We cannot wait to celebrate with you
Feb 12-14, 2027