The Rockwell High School class of 1941 held its 66th reunion July 21 at the Civic Center in Rockwell. President Marjorie Miller welcomed 23 members and guests.
Baxter Morgan gave the invocation. The meal was catered by Bud Hinson of Richfield.
After the meal, Miller read notes from the members who could not attend. She told a story about “The Weathered Old Barn.” Jay Wagoner played a recording of blonde jokes that was enjoyed.
The officers for the coming year will be Marjorie Miller, president; Jay Wagoner, vice president; Troy Kesler, secretary/treasurer. Three committee members were elected: Martha Ritchie, Annie Bell Brown and Mary Ruth Barringer.
Members enjoyed talking and remembering their school days. A vase of roses was given to each class member.
Rockwell residents attending were Melvin Hammill, Hayden and Ada Moose, Marjorie Miller, Baxter and Doris Morgan, Annie Bell Brown and Beatrice Kluttz.
Attending from Salisbury were Clemmie and Frances Norris, Mary Ruth Barringer, Eunice Overcash, Janice Robbins, Judy Goodnight and Ann Kesler.
Also attending were Jay and Ruth Wagoner, Mooresville; Ruth Tomlin, Lynchburg, Va.; Martha Ritchie, China Grove; Jewel Elium, Winston-Salem; Sam Misenheimer, Gold Hill; Kara Turner, Charlotte.
VFW officers
VFW Post 3006 and the ladies auxiliary recently elected new officers for 2007-08. They are:
Will Pleasants, commander; Don Webb, senior vice commander; Ken Safrit, junior vice commander; Tony Ward, quartermaster; David Smith, adjutant; Buddy Kyles, surgeon; Eddie Johnson, chaplain.
Trustees are Narvie Bonds, Ray Morris and Harry Garwood. The house committee is Neil Madden, Cliff Cutrell and BobKluttz.Auxiliary officers are: Margie Safrit, president; Shirley Kyles, senior vice president; Lynn Coughenour, junior vice president; Barbara Webb, treasurer; Bertha Harrison, secretary; Vivian Mulkey, conductress; Mary Hall, chaplain; Susan Safrit, guard; Jean Morris, patriotic instructor.
Trustees are Nellie Troxell, three-year; Betty Applegate, two-year; Jean Morris, one-year.
Center Stage honors
Dancers from Center Stage Dance Company in China Grove competed for national titles in Charleston, S.C., at Encore National Dance Competition for the Stars, June 28-July 1.
The studio won the Spirit of Encore Award, selected for demonstrating desired qualities backstage during the competition and teachers guiding their students with professionalism. The award was presented to the studio with special recognition given to the Center Stage Prop Daddies for their professionalism, organization, southern charm to other studios and willingness to help anyone in need during the competition experience.
During the two days of 13 and up presentations, Center Stage’s teen hip hop number “Work Somethin’ ” was selected for best choreography. Choreographer Sydney Overcash accepted the award for the group. She worked along with Brad Taylor of New York on the choreography for this number.
Center Stage’s “Welcome To Havana” was presented Top Production Number and was the highest scoring junior number during two days of competition.
In the recreational division for students spending 3 hours each week or less in the studio, the Center Stage number “Jailhouse Rock” was selected as the overall top junior recreational group. Dancers in Jailhouse Rock are Devynne Brown, Alexis Dill, Karrigan Harden, Jillian Harrell, Aaron Lippard and Kaitlyn Youngo.In the junior small group division, the reigning petite group winners from 2006 had to move to the 9-12 year old division for 2007. In this division the Center Stage small group performed three numbers for the judges. Their hip hop number “Oh My Ghetto” was selected as overall Top Junior Small Group. Their jazz number “Great Balls Of Fire” placed second overall. Their small group won their age division for their tap number “Soul Thang” and placed seventh overall, taking three places in the top ten awards with their three numbers. This is the second year this group has been selected as national champions.
Dancers in this group are Holly Beaver, Madyson Campbell, Kylie Cox, Raegan Foster, Taylor Martin, Makenna Pate, Dillon Stevens and Cierra Stubbs.
In the junior large group division, the jazz group “State Of Shock” placed fourth overall for their performance.
The teens from Center Stage took the top spot in 2006 with their hip hop number at nationals, so they returned this year to defend their title. This year’s hip hop number was selected once again as the Top Teen Large Group, winning best choreography 13 and up. This group had been selected as first overall twice, second overall, and third overall for their season of regional competitions prior to competing at Encore Nationals for the season.
Dancers in “Work Somethin’ ” include Zari Allman, Katye Beaver, Charlotte Brown, Maegan Campbell, Lindsey Maners, Lacey Maners, Brielle Porcello, Logan Ritchie, Candice Seaford, Mckenzie Sherrill, Jan Sitterson, Haley White, Emily Yelton and Lauren Young.
The teen small group “Captured” returned home with the first overall award for their open number. The group from Center Stage did a high energy number, using platforms and scaffolding, performing stunts and flips. This group also won first overall at three regional competitions prior to competing at nationals this year.
“Captured” features dancers Charlotte Brown, Ashley Golden, Brooke Hartsell, Brielle Porcello, Logan Ritchie, Candice Seaford, Mckenzie Sherrill, Emily Yelton, and Lauren Young.
In the petite division, ages 8 and under, first year competition students, took the stage in their jazz number to “Disco Wedding.” This group was chosen as the second overall winners. They received the first place trophy in their division and a second overall medal for their performance. This group won first overall at two of their regional competitions for the year and second overall at their other two competitions prior to competing at nationals. They were also selected as Most Entertaining at two events this year.
“Disco Wedding” dancers include Emily Davis, Adrian Figueroa, Kaley Knight, Breanna Lentz, Brooklyn Lewis, Rebekah Lippard, Gabby Potvin and Cierra Stubbs.
Competing in the solo division, Center Stage dancers had several numbers place in the top five for overall awards. First year soloist, Dillon Stevens, took the second overall position in the junior solos ages 9-12.
He performed his tap solo, “That Dillon Feelin’,” and was presented with a platinum award for his division and a medal for his second overall placement.
Dillon placed second overall out of a field of 63 contestants vying for the top soloist spot. He attends China Grove Elementary and is the son of Angie and Mark Stevens of China Grove.
Teen soloist Mckenzie Sherrill took the third overall spot, with her open solo, “Brave and Crazy.” She received a platinum award, winning her division, and a medal for her third overall position. She competed in a field of 65 soloists to get her third overall placement for the event.
Mckenzie attends Carson High School and is the daughter of Lisa and Ken Hollman of Salisbury and Gary Sherrill of Mooresville.
Logan Ritchie took the third overall position in the junior soloist division. She received first place honors with her jazz solo “Baby Workout.” She has been in the top five at every regional event for the 2007 season with her solo. Logan received a first place trophy and overall medal for her placement.
She attends Southeast Middle School and is the daughter of Carroll Lynn and Greg Ritchie of Salisbury.
Center Stage soloist Ashley Golden won her age division at nationals receiving a first place award and was runner up for the Dance Spirit Star of Tomorrow Award.
Soloists Candice Seaford and Paige Hartsell placed second in their divisions and soloist Brooke Hartsell took the third place spot in her division.
In the teen division, along with taking the top spot with their hip hop number “Work Somethin,’ ” the dancers from Center Stage captured two more spots in the top five positions.
Their jazz dance “You Know” was presented a platinum award winning their division as well as placing in the third overall position at the end of the day.
Center Stage teens also acquired the fourth overall position for the day, with their gymnastic number “In The Know.” This group was presented with a platinum award, winning their gymnastic division, and an overall medal for their performance. The jazz number “Loose Your Love” also obtained the platinum award, winning their division in jazz competition.
In the senior division for dancers ages 15-17, the dancers in “Like Ya Used To” won their jazz division with a platinum award and the tap dance “Juslisen” also received a platinum award.
Fun awards and prizes were given at the event, and Center Stage was selected for two of these as well. The baby sister of Center Stage dancer Alexis Dill won the prize for youngest audience member.
During the event, all teachers were invited on stage for a quick interview session, and Center Stage instructor Katherine O’Dell won the prize for this event. She was selected as top soloist at Encore Nationals in 1999 as a dancer and now returns to the stage as an instructor at Encore Nationals.
Dancers from Center Stage returned home with five national overall awards. Photographs of the dancers in “Jailhouse Rock,” “Oh My Ghetto,” “Captured,” “Work Somethin,’ ” and “Welcome To Havana” will be featured in all nationally disturbed brochures for Encore for the upcoming season.
Choreographer for the competition numbers at Center Stage is Sydney Overcash. Teacher and training coach for the group is Katherine O’Dell.
Studio director at Center Stage is Sandy Overcash.
Smith reunion winners
The winners of the gas cards raffled off by the Salisbury Connection of the Smith Family Reunion were Bridgette Anderson of Concord, $100 card, Jane Harwood of China Grove, $50 card, and Mary Browning of Staten Island, N.Y., $25 card.