At the 2024 Texas Dance Educators Association (TDEA) Convention held January 10-13, two GCISD dancers performed on the All-State Dance Team, and one came away with the $2,500 organization’s academic scholarship.
Colleyville Heritage High School senior and Premier Pantera Captain Maddy Keehn, along with Grapevine High School senior and Fabulous Fillies Dance Captain Katie Benson, were among 258 other high school dancers selected by their directors to be on the 2024 TDEA All-State Dance Team.
Varsity Premier Panteras Dance Team Director and current President of TDEA, Karis Van, said she is "proud of the work Maddy put into this performance as well as all year as the captain of the Premier Panteras."
Katie Norsworthy, Fillies and JV Belles Dance Team Director, also shared her excitement for Benson.
Not only did Benson represent GHS on the All-State team, but she was also selected as a top-five finalist for the TDEA Scholarship. The process included a rigorous scholarship application, which included writing an essay and interviewing with several dance companies and TDEA Scholarship Committee members. Her hard work paid off when she ended the convention by being awarded the TDEA Academic Scholarship for $2,500.
“I'm beyond proud of Katie for not only winning a really prestigious scholarship in the dance world, but just for the passion and commitment she gave to her week at TDEA, and she gives every day to Fillies,” she said.
Congratulations to Keehn and Benson on their stellar performances.