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PAGE SIX - RANDOM PICTURES
RANDOM WING DING PHOTOS
Mackenzie Ellis, Level Seven Team Member and Dance Company Hiphop Dancer, poses for me as I check out the batteries and lighting and Sara Heil stands behind her. Sara is a Level Four Gymnast. No, Mackenzie doesn't wear the hair piece for competing gymnastics - does look cute on her though!
Bailey Jo Rhodes awaits the beginning of the festivities and performance for Wing Ding. Bailey Jo performed her tap solo and also performed in the advanced tap number. A little bird told me that Bailey Jo was recently selected for Tenth Grade Maid for Homecoming Court for Cabot High School.
Speaking of Homecoming - Terra Johnson (daughter of Kristi) made Homecoming Court, Seventh Grade at Cabot. Took this picture out of a large group shot - but I'll look for another Terra. Congratulations!
And I also heard that Alana Whatley made Homecoming in Jacksonville High School - Congratulations to you, too, Alana.
Every one knows that Huff 'n Puff is a family affair! And here is another little one to prove it. Brandon and Grandmother Rettstatt came to enjoy the performances, too. Five-month-old cutie is the son of instructor Ms. Sara and Blake.
The very youngest family member to attend the performance was Ms. Haidyn Elisabeth Riggins, shown here on her first day. She was born Monday afternoon (7 lbs, 2 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long) and she attended on Saturday with her mother Whitney. Haidyn came to see her "Aunt Jessica" perform - I have been told that Haidyn will follow in her mother's and aunt's footsteps and will be a student at Huff 'n Puff as well. Haidyn is the daughter of proud parents Whitney and Billie Riggins and very proud granddaughter of Andi and Kenneth Holeman. As you all know, Ms. Andi has been a member of the Huff 'n Puff family for a long time, having worked the desk for at least fifteen years now.
Ms. April Kiser, Huff 'n Puff dance instructor, who works for the Jacksonville Police Department is shown here being thanked for her volunteerism work with Special Olympics. Ms. April was in charge of the Special Olympics 5 K Run. April also does a lot of other special projects with the Police Department.
Shown here handing out the awards for the Five K Run is Jenni Hayes. Jenni is a Global Communicator for Special Olympics and even travels to other states to talk to kids and adults about Special Olympics.
Parents and instructors await the beginning of the performance. It was a bit chilly.
Level Three gymnast and preschool performer sister are all ready to "go on" - other than Skills Meet, this was the first public performance for the Fortson girls. Dancer Amanda in background is trying to get warm by hugging a daddy.
Ms. Lois is giving last-minute instructions to her dancers.
Ms. Laurel and Little Rock radio announcer Kevin Clay await the beginning of the performances. Kevin made us all feel welcome and at ease as he teased about our appearances in Christmas parades.
Huff 'n Puff proudly had two winners in the Cityfest pageant. Nine-year-old Mattie Taylor won Little Miss Cityfest and also won Talent. Mattie is a Level Five Team gymnast and also dances Hiphop in Jacksonville Dance Company and has two other sisters who are also Huff 'n Puff family members. Eleven-year-old sister Hannah is also a Level Five Team member and dances hiphop in JDC and whom I was told also won a beauty pageant last week in Sheridan. city. Hannah and little sister Neely is shown below.
Heather Weth also won in the Cityfest pageant - she won Petite Miss Cityfest. Heather has won several other pageants also and is a very talented dancer in our Jacksonville Dance Company. She dances tap and hiphop and was in the Pom Company last year.
Huff 'n Puff has many talented dancers and gymnasts and several compete within the pageant systems and do very well.
Mattie's sister, Hannah Taylor, shown here in hiphop costume at National Competition in Gatlinburg.
Y'all know me - I just can't resist taking pictures of cute kids - this just happens to be Neely - the third sister in the Taylor Family - with Grandmother. Neely has already performed in at least one recital and two Skill Meets. The Taylor family members are great supporters of our team and dancers. Grandmother and grandfather attend most of the meets and competitions along with Mom and Dad, and mom Kristin's sister, who rarely ever misses any of the events either.
Many of the Huff 'n Puff families stayed and took advantage of the many fun things to do at the Wing Ding Festival.
More Pageant News
Ms. Lois notified me that several Huff 'n Puff students were in other pageants this weekend and sent me a few of the pictures that she had - we are still trying to get pictures of the others.
I believe this pageant was held in Sherwood and called Little Miss Sherwood, but not sponsored by the City of Sherwood. The pageant was held at Woody's Sherwood Forrest on Sunday afternoon and evening.
Neely Taylor (three years old) - Neely was a beauty finalist.
Neely and Mattie's pretty dresses were made by Mom and Grandmother.
Mattie Taylor Mattie performed a character jazz to "Cooties." Mattie won first runner-up in her age group.
Hannah Taylor Hannah performed a lyrical dance to "Fly." Hannah won second place in her age group.
Neely, Mattie and Hannah are sisters. Hannah and Mattie are both Level Five gymnasts on the Jacksonville Gymnastics Competitive team and Neely is in advanced preschool gymnastics class. Hannah and Mattie are both in Jacksonville Dance Company classes also.
Allison Ramsey Allison performed a jazz gymnastics routine to "Baby, I'm a Star."
Allison Ramsey has been in several pageants and she also was in the Sherwood pageant. Allison was second runner up in her age group. Allison is also a Level Five gymnast on Jacksonville Gymnastics Team. Allison was in the Cabot Fest pageant on Saturday afternoon and was winner of her age group in that pageant.
The routines of the above three girls were choreographed by Ms. Lois.
I was also told that Maurie Gangluff was in the pageant and I'm hoping to get pictures of her. Maurie's mom wrote me to fill me in a little more. Maurie was second runner-up, and she won photogenic and talent for the age nine to twelve group. Maurie tapped to "Five-Six-Seven-Eight" her JDC dance choreographed by Ms. Kim. I'm sorry that I don't have a more clear picture of Maurie - I cropped this from a group shot taken about a month ago.
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