Island Dance Team wins awards at state competition

“I guess you’ll say, ‘What can make me feel this way’? My girl.” Twelve-year-old Zane Vanderwood of the Island Dance Competition Team danced a cool funky hip hop medley version of the Motown classic on Feb. 21 at the Celebrity Washington state competition and won the highest award possible, a first-place platinum.

Fred Astaire himself would have been proud of Zane’s use of a mop as a dance partner, to say nothing of his leap in the air while clicking his heels.

The accolades for Whidbey Island dancers who come from across the island from Clinton to Oak Harbor didn’t stop there.

Team members Melissa Smith, Sylvia Hurlburt, Cassie Neil, Abigail and Grace Rookstool, Weslee Doucette, Graham and Zane Vanderwood, Eva Sherlock and Heather Plumberg won 10 trophies, six of them first-place awards, plus an abundance of medals, pins and special gifts.

Apart from their dance expertise, perhaps best of all was that these young performers collectively won the unique “Spirit” award for the dance studio that excelled in demonstrating the spirit of friendliness, respect and energy all day long, both on- and offstage.

Both of the individual “Spirit” awards were also given to Island Dance members, Zane Vanderwood and Melissa Smith.

The community will have the chance to see every one of these pieces, plus guest performances, at the upcoming dance concert entitled “Other Moves.”

Instead of taking place at the dance studio, this year the show will be at the South Whidbey High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22.

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