Orlando, FL. February 19-21, 2010 the School of Orlando Ballet hosted the annual Regional Semi-Final Round of the Youth America Grand Prix - the largest student scholarship competition in the world. For eleven years students from all over the world gather to share the results of their hard work, passion, artistry and dedication to the art of dance. More than 500 young talented dancers competed in the contemporary and classical categories. Fifteen students from Howard W. Blake High School of the Arts represented the magnet dance program in Hillsborough County, competing against private conservatories, academies and studios, where the dance students are coach individually for hours a day.

Ms. Rayl and I are very proud to acknowledge Alexandra Tiso and Laura Brick who were nominated as top 12 performers in the senior division as well as Tayler Sheehen who received a full scholarship to The Washington Ballet School five week summer intensive program. Few other students received a special invitation to participate in the Final Round in New York City held at the New York University and New York City Center March 22 -26, 2010. The judges are highly acclaimed professionals from the Paris Opera Ballet School, Washington Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre and the director of Jacob’s Pillow Summer Program.

The finest reward for an educator and coach is the recognition of the students’ achievement. As teachers we work in the privacy of the classrooms or studios and the hours of hard work, planning and coaching are expected and often taken for granted. Nevertheless the dedicated and passionate pedagogue is always driven to offer to the students the utmost knowledge - skills and artistry that could make that student stand out.

Simple words cannot express my satisfaction with the extraordinary achievement of the dance students from H. W. Blake High School of the Arts. For a very short time the program advanced and proudly stands alongside with the most recognized ballet schools from the United States around the world.