Buffy’s Dance Department competed in the “I Love Dance” dance competition in Des Moines on March 16. Out of 34 routines, the studio walked away with 28 first place trophies, five second place ribbons and one third place.

In addition, the students received several overall awards, with Buffy Hurley receiving the Excellence Award and the Teacher Award. The Teacher Award goes to the teacher who shows outstanding participation. The Excellence Award is awarded to the teacher who has great all-around routines, based on choreography, song choice, good technique and age appropriateness.

“I was extremely honored to receive these awards. It’s important to me that little girls dance like little girls, and so many competitions are getting away from that,” said Hurley.

“In judging national competitions, I have seen some very inappropriate dancing of all ages. Dance is an art, not something you’d see in a club. It’s important to me to teach these young boys and girls to respect their bodies. So, yes, it was a quite an honor for me to be recognized for doing what I believe in.”

Katie Busch was awarded the Sweetheart Award. This is an award that goes to the dancer that stands out above the rest throughout the competition. She is selected by the show director for being the dancer that has the best shot of making it as a professional dancer, based on her technique, her showmanship and her overall attitude.

The Sweetheart program has produced many professional dancers all over the country. There is a Sweetheart in each and every show on the Las Vegas strip, along with five Sweethearts in the Rockettes.

“I was extremely proud of Katie. I think she was shocked. She was selected out of a lot of really great dancers, many of them several years older than her,” said Hurley.

Buffy’s Dance Department will be holding its annual recital Saturday, May 17, at 6 p.m. at the Simon Estes Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $5. Doors open at 5 p.m. and you should plan to get there early as the show has sold out quickly in the past few years.