On Friday, March 23, 2012, the town of Ogema grew in size as a number of dancers from various clubs arrived to participate in Ogema’s annual dance competition. Clubs came from Coronach; Weyburn; Avonlea; Wilcox; Vibank; Pangman; Radville; Minton and Ogema. There were 390 dancers taking part in the competitions. The competitions continued on Saturday, March 24th, with Ogema Dance club receiving ten first place positions and ten second place as well as one third, fourth and fifth position. Members of the dance club participated in the Weyburn dance competition the previous weekend and did very well winning awards and scholarships. The Ogema dance club is made up of twenty-four enthusiastic dancers of ages ranging from two years to eighteen.
Dawna Mellon welcomed the dancers, their parents, grandparents and the community to the dance recital. She thanked the parents for their time and support as well as members of the community for supporting the dance clubs fundraisers; they had a bake table at the annual fall Market Place and a steak night at the Little Amego Inn in January; these are very well supported by family and community. Dawna Mellon then called on the principal of Ogema School, Ronda Casavant to emcee the afternoon program. Mrs. Casavant expressed her thanks to the dancers who have made use of the school auditorium this past year for their weekly practices and she was looking forward to seeing the end results of a years practice.
The first item on the program was called ‘Taking Care of Business’ which featured Erin Olarie, Mikaela Peterson, Michelle Baker-Konner, Amy Gillies, Abby Leonard and Kelsey Acton. This group placed first in Weyburn and second in Ogema. The second item was called ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ featuring dancers Beilee Cleverly, Emily Eden, Corin Acton, Lianne Cabase and Nevaeh Mellon. This group placed first in Weyburn and second in Ogema. Continuing with the program was a ballet solo by Karis Klemenz who placed third in Weyburn and second in Ogema. Karis won the ‘Rising Star’ award.
Kelsey Acton, Marla Lacbao, Crizel Federico, Stephanie Powers and Dayanna Walters performed a number called ‘Cruella de Ville’. This placed second in both the Weyburn and Ogema competitions. Erin Olarie performed a tap solo placing second in both competitions. Mikaela Peterson did a ballet lyrical solo placing second in Weyburn and third in Ogema. Kelsey Acton, Mason Klemenz, Harvey Leal and Paige Eden placed second in Weyburn and fifth in Ogema in their rendition of ‘Buzzin’.
A neat little number entitled ‘Spring has Sprung’ was performed by young dancers Beilee Cleverly, Emily Eden, Corin Acton, Lianne Cabase and Nevaeh Mellon. This placed third in Weyburn and second in Ogema. ‘C’mon’ was performed by dancers Erin Olarie, Mikaela Peterson, Michelle Baker-Konner, Amy Gillies and Janelle Mellon. This placed first in Weyburn and third in Ogema. A ballet duo of Karis Klemenz and Chloe Thideman placed second in Weyburn and first in Ogema. Kelsey Acton won a dance scholarship by performing a jazz solo; she placed first in Weyburn and second in Ogema.
Time for the tiny tots to take centre stage, Kate Webb; Teryn McKerricher and Dylynn Coroluick did a snappy dance entitled ‘Let’s all Clap Hands’. They placed first in Ogema
A jazz duo of Erin Olarie and Mikaela Peterson brought the first half of the afternoon performance to intermission. This duo placed third in Weyburn and second in Ogema.
During intermission dancers caught their breath and refreshments while the crowd enjoyed a light lunch and refreshments and a visit with old friends and relatives.
The second half of the program commenced with Michelle Baker-Konner doing a musical theatre solo, she placed second in Weyburn and fourth in Ogema. Kelsey Acton and Abby Leonard placed first in Ogema with the tap duo.
A sister act between Nevaeh and Janelle Mellon called ‘Sister, I love my Sister’ won first place in Weyburn and in Ogema. They also won the best over all duo-trio award in Weyburn.
‘What time is it?’ placed third in Weyburn and second in Ogema and was performed by Harvey Leal, Corin Acton, Chloe Thideman and Karis Klemenz. Mikaela Peterson entertained the crowd with a Hip Hop solo placing first in both Weyburn and Ogema. Amy Gillies and Janelle Mellon performed a lyrical duo placing first in both Weyburn and Ogema. Erin Olarie entertained with a Jazz solo with which she placed third in Weyburn and second in Ogema. Mikaela Peterson won first in Weyburn and Ogema with her Musical Theatre solo. Mikaela won the best for Musical Theatre along with the highest points. She was awarded a $1,000.00 scholarship. Winning the Most Promising Novice Tap Award were: Amy Gillies, Janelle Mellon, Michelle Baker-Konner, Abby Leonard and Kelsey Acton with their selection of ‘What a Felling’.
Marla Lacbao, Karis Klemenz, Harvey Leal, Chloe Thideman and Crizel Federico placed second in Weyburn and first in Ogema for their rendition of ‘Boy from New York City’.
Ogema’s three little sweethearts took to the stage once more. Kate Webb, Teryn McKerricher and Dylynn Coroluick with a selection called ‘Three Little Fishies’.
Instructor Katie Bacon showed the crowd her abilities as a teacher for the Ogema Dance Club. Bringing the program to a close with a selection from ‘Mary Poppins’ called ‘Step in Time’ was performed by chimney sweeps. Erin Olarie, Mikaela Peterson, Michelle Baker-Konner, Amy Gillies, Janelle Mellon, Abby Leonard and Kelsey Acton. These girls won the adjudicator’s award.
Dawna Mellon thanked everyone for coming and presented Amy Gillies with a gift for being the club’s assistant instructor. She thanked instructor Katie Bacon for taking time out of her busy schedule to instruct the dance club for the past year. Katie Bacon thanked the dancers for their dedication, Amy Gillies for her assistance and she presented Amy with a gift for her work and then called on Paige Eden to come forward to receive a trophy for her dedication and hard work during the year to improve her dancing ability.
This was an afternoon of high class entertainment. It was a pleasure to watch the dancers as they went through their dance routines, always smiling and enjoying themselves for two hours of very good entertainment.
