NWDSC no longer on Hiatus By Dael Kolwitz
In the January-February issue of American Dancer, there was an article stating that after five years, Michele Boyer and Daryl Schmidt announced their retirement as Northwest Dancesport Championships (NWDSC) organizers. Recently, the USA Dance Portland Chapter stepped forward and will host this annual national qualifying event October 12th & 13th. Sanctions were approved by USA Dance earlier in February, and the competition will be held at the Ainsworth Event Center (formerly known as the Scottish Rite Center) in downtown Portland, Oregon. “Portland is excited to revive this competition,” said Sonja Tilton, Vice-President of the Portland Chapter. “We are giving it a new venue, and new opportunity to be a destination competition that is fun not only for competitors, but for spectators as well.” Portland is an up and coming hot spot for ballroom dancing, and the Portland Chapter was more than eager to taking the NWDSC on its shoulders. In addition to their two local competitions, PDX Ballroom Classic (January) and the River City Ball (June), Portland’s social ballroom community is growing as new studios open and more venues offer weekly social dances. For these reasons, the chapter is optimistic in the continued growth of the sport, and to becoming next hub for dancers throughout the Western United States and beyond. 38 DanceSport
Photo Courtesy of Dael Kolwitz
Election of Officers conducted: President, Mark Richman Vice-President, Sonja Tilton Treasurer, Pam Leitch Secretary, Terry Nicholson Signors for Bank Account approved, Mark Richman, Sonja Tilton, and Pam Leitch. Other Positions (appointed): Membership Chair, Dael Publicity Chair, Nick Shur
Committee: Dael Kolwitz, Joe Leitch (appointed at-large representative)
Social Chair, Open Fundraising Chair, Douglas Daniels Youth/College Chair, Mark Richman Dancesport Chair, Sonja Tilton Other Board Members: Ruby Tang and Candy Nicholson