Willow Arkell and Georgia McCullough were inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) on Saturday, May 17 following the annual Spring Concert for The Dancer’s Extension.  The concert and the induction ceremony took place in the auditorium of Saluda Elementary School, and were held in conjunction with the Saluda Arts Festival.
The Dancer’s Extension hosts one of only 285 chapters of the NHSDA recognized throughout the United States.
Current dance students who are at least 11 years of age may immediately begin working towards induction into the society.  Inducted students may participate in special events throughout the area, list their achievements on resumes or college applications, be recognized at graduation ceremonies and compete for awards and scholarships.
Participation in the NHSDA enables the community to celebrate student achievement and dedication in the art of dance and it connects inductees to the community of dancers at state and national levels.  Candidates and members have enthusiastically performed for the community in the following venues:
Saluda’s Coon Dog Day Parade, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” for Saluda’s Halloween Stroll, Hometown Christmas, entertainment for Autumn Care Nursing Facility Residents, worship service at Saluda United Methodist Church, Tryon’s Super Saturday and the National Water Dance program at The Green River.
Through their work in dance, academic achievement and service to others, Willow Arkell and Georgia McCullough earned the right to become members at the junior level of the NHSDA.  They join members Zoe Parsons and Sophie Young who were also inducted at the junior level in 2013.  They were presented their certificates, signed by NDEO Executive Director Susan McGreevy-Nichols, by their instructor Sonya Monts, then pinned with the golden dancer emblem of the NDEO during the May 17 ceremony.
For more information, contact the studio at 828-749-9EXT (9398) or visit www.thedancers-ext.com.
– article submitted
by Sonya Monts