[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE WEST SPRINGFIELD DANCE TEAM ON THEIR TREMENDOUS 
                            ACCOMPLISHMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
West Springfield Dance Team for their incredible run on the nationally 
televised show, ``America's Got Talent''. The West Springfield Dance 
Team progressed to the semi-finals with their professional grade 
choreography, distinct style, and superb dancing talents.
  Under the tutelage of their coaches, renowned choreographers Tara 
Perez and Jason King, and with the full support of the West Springfield 
High School community, including principal Mark Greenfelder and 
Director of Student Activities Andy Muir, the West Springfield Dance 
Team has received numerous awards and recognitions including back-to-
back Championship titles from the National Dance Alliance, including 
the ``Innovative Choreography'' and ``Best in Category'' awards. West 
Springfield Dance Team has distinguished itself as the dominant team in 
local and national competitive dance, and it is now a national 
celebrity for its run on ``America's Got Talent'' and a recent 
appearance on ``The View'' Halloween episode.
  Their eye-popping performances were a delight to watch, and these 
young people served as tremendous ambassadors not only on behalf of 
their dance team, but also their school, their families and our 
community. They and their families should be proud of these 
accomplishments. I know we are, and I want to congratulate the 
following members of the West Springfield Dance Team for their many 
successes in the area of competitive dance, their achievements on 
``America's Got Talent'', and recent appearance on ``The View'':
  WS Dance Team 2010-2011 (performers on ``America's Got Talent''): 
Chelsea Kopf and Julian Asuncion
  WS Dance Team 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 (performers on ``America's Got 
Talent'', and ``The View''): Emily Barnes, Dori Shapiro, Katie Lee, 
Riley O'Rourke, Nicole Mobley, Breezy Thompson, Sarah Thompson, Kristen 
Toler, Natalie Wawrzeniak, Jordan Penrod, Hannah Ernst, Jordan Dey, 
Nicky Ditnoy, and May Ditnoy
  WS Dance Team 2011-2012 (performers on ``The View''): Ellen Abood, 
Madeline Diez, Victoria Diez, Brianna Burns, Lauren Rader, Danny Lora, 
and Collin Hensley
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
West Springfield Dance Team on their many accomplishments and awards 
and for making it into the semi-finals of ``America's Got Talent.'' I 
thank the team's coaches, Tara Perez and Jason King, Principal Mark 
Greenfelder, Director of Student Activities Andy Muir, and the entire 
West Springfield High School community for their robust support of 
these exceptional students.

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