2008 Student Award for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance A Governor’s Award in Arts Education

Dance New Jersey, the state affiliate of the National Dance Education Organization, is proud to announce the winner of the 2008 Student Award for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance, a Governor’s Award in Arts Education.

Congratulations to the award recipient Caitlyn Casson a student from Vineland! Honorable Mentions are awarded to Kimberly Bessi of Jackson and Elizabeth Rose Zwierzynski of Clark.

Miss Casson, a student at the Southern New Jersey Academy of the Performing Arts at Gloucester County Institute of Technology was nominated for the award by David Kloss. She also has studied with the Rebecca Davis Dance Company and Complexions. She will receive her Governor’s Award in Arts Education at a ceremony on May 21, 2008, at the Trenton War Memorial.

Miss Bessi, a student from Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s Performing Arts Academy, was nominated by Cristina Marte. She is also a student of dance at Next Step Dance Academy.

Elizabeth Rose Zwierzynski is a student at Arthur L. Johnson High School and she studies dance with the New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble. She was nominated for this award by San D. Hassleman.

The Student Award for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance is open to all New Jersey junior and senior high school students who study dance and have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The award recipients are chosen for their artistry and technical excellence in the field of dance and their leadership related to dance. To apply for the award students must be nominated by a teacher and submit an essay on dance, a resume, and a video documenting the student’s artistic and technical excellence.

Congratulations Caitlyn, Kimberly, and Elizabeth Rose!

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