2021 Just For Kix TWD Nationals Booklet

2021

WELCOME TO THE SHOW!

Dear Parents and Fans, We welcome you to another season of Together We Dance Competitions. We missed out on so much last year and are going to try our hardest to make it happen for the dancers this year.

Although some of the events may look different, it is important that we make them happen.

Thanks for your continued patience as we learn to PIVOT and manage all of these challenges.

The goal of our competitions is “The Pursuit of Excellence.” For all teams to strive to be better than they were yesterday. It is in coming together and going for the gold that we improve.

Whether we hit the target is unimportant. As my wise mentor told me, it is in the Goin’, not the Gettin’ that is important. We always strive for our students to BETTER THEIR BEST. Sincerely,

With Kix, Cindy Clough

WE ARE FANS OF OUR FANS! If you are ever in Brainerd, MN try to call ahead or email us. We will be happy to give you a tour of several buildings! Learn how it started and where things happen behind the scenes. We can share where the photos are taken, where our t-shirts are made and more!

We love our JFK Families.

Judging Judging Results

Occasionally, the day after an event we get calls from parents questioning judging results. We always say coaches are not rationale for a few weeks following an event, because we are too emotionally invested in the performance. This goes for parents too! We have watched them progress. It may have been the BEST they ever performed and we have seen how they started and how far they are now. We want them to be happy.

Involvement in a JUDGED sport can be frustrating and results are always up for being questioned.

Points to Consider 1.

JFK takes pride in our events. Our goal is for them to be as fair as humanly possible. We go to great lengths to train judges and select knowledgeable people in the dance industry to be a member of our judging team.

all have our areas of expertise. Ask yourself if you really know what you are looking for. For instance on a toe touch (Russian), dancers really should not be touching their toes. Their back should be almost straight, with their head up.

2. With that said, mistakes do happen from time to time. For that reason, we have a PANEL of judges rather than one or two.

5. Judges are looking for technique in all categories. In the kick category, they focus on toes, knees, timing, backs, height and more...not just missed kicks. They are looking for turn technique, toe touch technique, spacing, connected passés, spotting, stage presence, force of moves, personal placement, etc.

3. WHY DO JUDGES SOMETIMES HAVE VARIED RESULTS? Very simply, one may be looking right when the other is looking left. One may be a stickler for feet and timing, while the other may be a stickler for difficulty and energy. Results can also seem to be “all over” when the teams are very close in all areas.

It is harder to judge a category of similar skilled teams, than when there is a very strong team and a very weak team. Every judge cares and is trying to do their best.

4.

Spectators may not be looking at the complete picture.

Often, they only count mistakes and falls. They think, “we were better than that team...they had 2 falls or 3 missed kicks.” They may not have the training to notice the technical aspects of correct position. Judges are trained to look at the complete picture. There are so many other factors to be considered. We

6. Sometimes the results are VERY close. Maybe just a point apart. What it all boils down to is HOW they are doing what they do!

7. Costuming, uniforms and makeup are not considered in judging and are not a part of the score sheet. Neatness & sameness does count!

8.

Choreography is not on the score sheet. Since all routines used are provided by JFK we look instead at technique, difficulty, presentation, etc.

“Teacher, I saw my dad’s bare butt.” Said in front of all parents.

Looked at me and said, “Ohh, bad hair day?”

“Teacher, did you know when you do that move your butt jiggles?”

“Teacher, my mom got a new bra that has water in it!”

At 35 weeks pregnant, “Teacher, did you have your baby yet?”

SPORTSMANSHIP Everyone is someone’s child. Sportsmanship is at the center of all we try to do at Just For Kix. Remember to be supportive of all dancers and teams.

Our goal is for all teams to aspire for excellence and keep raising the level. Another goal is for the judges to be as educated and as fair as possible.

Our directors share with each other and try to build up the JFK brand. Our staff does educational talk tapes for directors and watch their videos and give advice upon request.

I personally share every secret I know with our directors, instructors and teaching staff. Our goal is for all teams to get better.

Keep in mind the end result of a competition is to promote excellence and showcase our athletes.

Competition helps our coaches by providing them a venue to showcase their talents and a reason to push themselves to be better.

While we love our teams and coaches to be competitive, it is important to work to keep it in check. One barometer for me is to make sure I am cheering for all the teams. If a group of parents are sitting in the stands hoping another team is missing kicks and falling down it indicates their hearts are not in the right place. At that point COMPETITION has reared its ugly head. Remember that everyone has feelings and everyone is someone’s child. Treat them how you would want your child to be treated.

Things are close. Sometimes in certain divisions, it could come down to just 1 or two points. That’s why we have so many judges. So it becomes a PANEL rather than an individual selecting the winners.

I want to encourage you to cheer for excellence demonstrated by other teams. Cheer for effort. Progress is IMPORTANT. All athletes are important. Show your child how to be a great competitor by demonstrating great sportsmanship yourself.

Know that if you do have a concern, your opinion matters.

Please feel free to reach out to me via email or in person.

Our categories are set up by average grade of the class and average class size when the team registered. If numbers drop, we cannot move around teams or the schedule would not run on time. Showcase is divided by the number of classes taken in the community.

I pledge to you that fairness in judging is one of our main concerns.

Our judges are selected from a wide variety of cities. All have dance backgrounds.

Either high school dance coaches, past directors, or college dancers. All are instructed to bring in no preconceived notions and to be as fair as possible.

Now let the DANCE begin.

TOGETHER TOGETHER TOGETHER TOGETHER - Cindy Clough

WE DANCE. WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE. WE PROMOTE SPORTSMANSHIP. WE ALL WIN.

MEDALS

Your dancers have worked so hard for it! Bring your Gold through Double Platinum ribbons to the TWD store to get your very own medal!

The new Gold-Double Platinum is an award system in addition to the 1st-4th system. Since we cannot compare scores until the end of the day due to block scheduling, this method adds another layer of recognition for our teams. The advantage is categories in which all teams are at a very high level.

They may not have won first place, but they are recognized for their level of excellence.

GOLD -------------------------0-149 points HIGH GOLD -----------------150-199 points PLATINUM ------------------200-249 points DOUBLE PLATINUM -------250-300 points

S T O P & S H O P AT T H E JUST FOR KIX STORES

2021 TWD

COLLECTOR’S APPAREL Don’t forget to stop by the Together We Dance apparel store and get your 2020 Just For Kix collector shirt!

2 0 2 1 N AT I O N A L S T- S H I I R T COLLECTOR’S EDITION

$20

2 0 2 1 N AT I O N A L S HOODIE COLLECTOR’S EDITION

$50

e m u t s o C a f o n o Creati Design!

We research the biggest trends of the year and consider your feedback when designing. We look at different silhouettes, fabrics, trims, colors, and patterns. We take this research and start sketching for each age group while making sure we offer different fabrics, colors, and silhouettes for different genres of dance so there is a wide variety.

Our technical designer patterns the costumes in-house and makes sure that each size correlates to the size chart. They work with the sample sewer on how the costume is constructed.

Fitting & Materials Before we send the costume into the sampling process, where it gets cut and sewn by our in-house sample sewer, the technical designer takes their pattern and puts it into our world-class 3D Model patterning system.

From here they take the pattern and drape it on the 3D model. They can see where the pattern may need to be altered or a slight design alteration will need to be made.

The model can be rotated 360 degrees, walk and dance within our system.

After we receive the first sample in the correct fabrics we fit it on a real human model. The model moves and dances in the costume to ensure that they have ultimate mobility. If there are changes that need to be made our technical designer alters the patterns and works with the sample sewer to make changes to the construction of the costume.

Lights, Camera, Action!

When the sample is approved it is Photoshoot Time!

New costumes are shot on dancers in our photo studio.

These go to our catalog designers to create the catalog that goes to all Just For Kix Directors.

The Main Event!

Directors work out what costumes they will be using and place their orders. Our catalog department sorts and ships what goes where!

At Just For Kix, we handle every step of the process so we’re providing the absolute BEST for our dancers!

SENIOR SHOWCASE HISTORY: This will be our 8th year of offering this event.

2013 we had 20 teams compete

1. Austin, MN

2. Long Prairie, MN

3. Grand Island, MN

4. St Cloud, MN

REACHING HIGHER In 2013, Just For Kix held the first ever Senior Showcase Competition.

The event is held to enhance the competitive experience for the Senior Kix dancers. The competition is designed to allow dancers to reach higher and strive for greater excellence.

WHO: Just For Kix Dance Programs’ Senior Kix dance teams who have been registered by their Director.

• All teams compete together in PRELIMS category.

The top teams will perform at FINALS. • Top Teams will be announced and awarded.

• Just For Kix programs are not required to participate.

Congrats to all of our 2019 Senior Kix teams who participated and to those who performed in Finals!

2014 we had 29 teams compete

1. Austin

2. Brainerd

3. St Cloud

4. Marshall 2015 we had 29 teams compete

1. Brainerd, MN

2. Austin, MN

3. St. Cloud, MN

4. Tie Between: Elk River, MN & Marshall, MN 2016 we had 28 teams compete

1. Brainerd, MN

2. Austin, MN

3. Richfield/Bloomington, MN

4. St. Cloud, MN 2017 we had 32 teams compete

1. Brainerd, MN

2. Austin, MN

3. Minnetonka, MN

4. Richfield/Bloomington, MN 2018 we had 32 teams compete

1. Brainerd, MN

2. Austin, MN

3. Thief River Falls, MN

4. Minnetonka, MN 2019 we had 32 teams compete AA A 1. Brainerd, MN

1. Elk River, MN 2. Rochester, MN

2. Belle Plaine, MN

3. Medina, MN

3. Shelton, NE

4. Minnetonka, MN

4. Fridley, MN

SENIOR HIP HOP SHOWCASE HISTORY: This will be our 2nd year of offering this event.

2018 we had 16 teams compete

1. Brainerd, MN

2. St. Cloud, MN

3. Thief River Falls, MN

4. Sioux City, IA & Shelton, NE 2019 we had 16 teams compete A AA

1. Shelton, NE

1. Brainerd, MN

2. Belle Plaine, MN 2. Thief River Falls, MN

3. Minnetonka, MN 3. St. Cloud, MN

4. White Bear Lake, MN 4. Sioux City, IA

TRAV EL WIT H J U ST FOR KI X

Join us for the

Performance of a Lifetime!

OUTBACK BOWL SAVE THE DATE

DEC 28TH - JAN 3RD Dancers, coaches, and studio owners have trusted Just For Kix for over 30 years with providing educational and imaginative bowl performance opportunities for dancers in grades 2nd to 12th from all skill levels.

Receive first-rate choreography, work with an approachable staff and enjoy a spectacular week of dance and fun in Tampa, FL. The Outback Bowl Performance Tour is one of the most recognized, affordable and safe performance tours in the industry.

WHAT IF MY WHOLE TEAM CAN’T GO? You can still join us! You are not required to bring a whole team when you go to the Outback Bowl. Even solo dancers are welcome!

What’s Included?

BUSCH GARDENS DINNER CRUISE

CLEARWATER BEACH DAY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AWARDS CEREMONY DISNEY / UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.JUSTFORKIX.COM/OUTBACKBOWL

PODCAST & VIDEO WITH CINDY AND ALI Anything but Routine is a goldmine of advice from industry experts as they go through their daily lives. They speak on everything from how to be a better leader on your team to oneon-one advice in dance coaching. If you are looking to live and breath dance, Anything but Routine was made for you.

Listen while you work with the podcast, available on your favorite platforms, including Spotify and iTunes.

Watch dance classes and sitdowns with the mother-daughter duo on Youtube.

JUSTFORKIX.COM/ANYTHINGBUTROUTINE

YOUR PIC, YOUR SHIRT. AVAILABLE IN OUR TWIN CITIES LOCATION CHASE@THETEEHIVE.COM

ADD YOUR LOGO, FONTS, COLORS, & STYLE TO...

PROMOTIONAL BACKDROPS FLAGS BANNERS TABLECLOTHS MOUSEPADS

STAFF APPAREL T-SHIRTS POLOS HATS JACKETS APRONS

MERCHANDISE KOOZIES T-SHIRTS HOODIES LEGGINGS HATS

FOR MORE INFO VISIT THETEEHIVE.COM OR CALL 877-450-4483

JUST FOR KIX

Dancer Spotlight Addyson Haugadal, 11

Ryely Howard, 13

Sadie McDonald, 18

Years with JFK: 8 Fave Dance Style: Kick Fave Routine: Do Wah Diddy LOVES Dance Because: It’s so fun and you get to see your friends and I love competing. It makes me feel so happy inside. I can let my stress from the day out at the studio Fave TWD Moment: When we were going against tough teams and we ended up placing.

Years with JFK: 7 Fave Dance Style: Kick Fave Routine: Candy Shop LOVES Dance Because: I love dance because I get to meet new people, make amazing memories that will last forever, and it is something I am passionate about.

Fave TWD Moment: When we got 1st place in Lyrical at Nationals 2019!

Years with JFK: 12 Fave Dance Style: Jazz Fave Routine: Fire On Fire LOVES Dance Because: I love dance because it challenges me to work hard, and it’s so rewarding when I achieve the goals I set for myself!

Fave TWD Moment: My favorite TWD moment is the last competition I shared with my older sister before she graduated from high school.

Stella Thoma, 9

Paige Bonnet, 14

Ella Livingston, 14

Years with JFK: 7 Fave Dance Style: Jazz Fave Routine: This Will Be LOVES Dance Because: I love dance because I get to be with my friends and have fun!

Fave TWD Moment: Performing with my friends.

Years with JFK: 11 Fave Dance Style: Lyrical Fave Routine: Hanging Tree LOVES Dance Because: It’s a way to express myself and push myself. There is no finish line; you can always get better.

Fave TWD Moment: Winning SDS competition in 2019.

Years with JFK: 7 Fave Dance Style: Lyrical Fave Routine: Party LOVES Dance Because: It makes me truly happy!

Fave TWD Moment: Getting 3 - 1st place finishes at Nationals in 2019.

Emma Anderson , 16

Kelsi Maurer, 13

Natasha Reinsma, 18

Years with JFK: 8 Fave Dance Style: Lyrical Fave Routine: How To Love Me LOVES Dance Because: Because I get to share my passion for dance with my friends!

Fave TWD Moment: When her kick team made it to finals at nationals.

Years with JFK: 7 Fave Dance Style: Hip Hop Fave Routine: Lizzo Mix LOVES Dance Because: My coach is the best!

Fave TWD Moment: Performing with my teammates.

Years with JFK: 15 Fave Dance Style: Hip Hop Fave Routine: 2 Legit LOVES Dance Because: I love dance because I get to express my feelings and get my mind off of other things.

Fave TWD Moment: Getting to dance and meet new friends!

Albert Lea, MN

Austin, MN

Owatonna, MN

Shakopee, MN

West Fargo, ND

Gibbon, MN

West Sioux Falls, SD

Belvidere, IL

Marshall, MN

JUST FOR KIX

Director of the Year Each year when we look at people that are eligible for the Veteran Director of the year, we look at their whole career as a Director.

What kind of impact they have had on their communities, their tenacity in controversy, their positive outlook and constant support of JFK. The example they set for others and spirit in which they help fellow Directors. There are many that stand out to us and it is always hard to limit it. Our Director of the Year is...

Bethany Morrisey Rochester Director

2021

Jess Karsch-Strassburg Becker JFK Director

RESILIENCE WEST FARGO, ND JUNE 24-26 BRAINERD, MN AUGUST 1-4 MEDINA, MN AUGUST 10-12 We design intensive that not only challenge and motivate dancers, but help provide them the tools to reach their full potential. Like our Camps, our Intensive provides dancers unrivaled value. Affordable, with a curriculum that goes above and beyond. Our staff is pulled from a wide pool of talent and will work with you to give you the best dance experience of summer.

To learn everything about Just For Kix Camps, visit our website WWW.JUSTFORKIX.COM/DANCECAMPS or contact Annie at ANNIE.LINDBERG@JUSTFORKIX.COM

Featured Families 2020 SO MANY of you help us create the culture of positivity in Just For Kix that we strive for whether that is by helping out with events, cheering on all dancers, or traveling and performing with us. There are so many great families across the nation that are involved in making Just For Kix programs even better for dancers that we could not choose just one out of the many submissions from your Dance Directors. We’ve chosen FIVE fantastic families we want to thank for their kindness, dedication, and support!

The Wright Family THIEF RIVER FALLS

Parents: Joscelyn and Brandon Wright Brea - 13 years in dance

EVENTS THEY’VE GONE TO:

Brainerd Intensive, Thief River Falls Private Camp, and the Outback Bowl

THEY’RE THE ABSOLUTE BEST!

The Wright family has been a part of Just For Kix for 13 years now.

Their daughter, Brea, is one of our assistants and spends the majority of her free time at the studio. Both parents, Joscelyn & Brandon, volunteer their time at every single event. Brandon will bring the staff food on long competition, rehearsal and show days. They always have my favorite drink, Pepsi, on hand when they see me starting to slow down at competitions. Last year alone they put 2,769 miles on their truck from February through April to attend every competition. They happily haul our equipment for us and help prepare meals for all the TRF dancers and families at Nationals. The Wright family lives and breathes our program and we are so grateful for them.

Brandon lines up community performances for us at the local nursing homes. He is also the main contact for the newspaper and submits content. Every Monday following competitions he calls all three schools to have them put the dancers’ results from the weekend on the morning announcements.

They not only want what is best for their own dancer, but for every dancer in our program. They celebrate each dancer’s success on and off the performance floor.

By Maureen Price Thief River Falls Just For Kix Director

Featured Families 2020 The Witte Family EAST SIOUX FALLS

Parents: Stephanie Witte, Brian Sr Witte Lily - 5 years Sophia - 5 years

Joselyn - 5 years Brian Jr - 1st Year

EVENTS THEY’VE GONE TO:

They will be going to the Outback Bowl this year.

ONE OF MY BIGGEST SUPPORTERS!

YES! They’re my go to family. Lily Witte just started to assist East Sioux Falls this year. Stephanie is always there to help at all events. She is also one of my biggest supporters. The family is always supporting the East Sioux Falls program. She promotes my program to her friends and family, and have help enrolled many students to the program.

MORE ABOUT THE WITTE FAMILY

This family is enrolled in 12 classes this season, and particpates in our special sessions. Lil Crew Hip Hop, and Mother & Daughter sessions.

They continue to spread positive comments about the East Sioux Falls program, and is always there to help.

By Jennifer Anderson East Sioux Falls Just For Kix Director

“One of the neat things about Nationals is that it brings us all together. It reminds me of a FAMILY REUNION.” - Cindy Clough

The Link Family

WAHPETON BRECKENRIDGE Parents/Grandparents: Dave & Sandy Link Children & Grandkids: Trisha (Brian) Nordick - Landon, London, Liam JD(Whitney) Link - Treyton, Oden, Oliver Chelsey (Joe) Kubela - Macie Fense, Taelor & Jaxton

EVENTS THEY’VE GONE TO:

Trisha & London have done the New York trip. All the girls are currently working towards going on another trip.

AMAZING HELP!

Both Trisha & Chelsey help at EVERY show with getting groups on/off the floor plus everything behind the scenes with uniform changes, etc. They also help set up for the show. They both help at competition whether it’s with hair or making sure groups are ready to go if I’m helping another group. Chelsey has stepped in at practice to help dancers try on uniforms, take kids to the bathroom, whatever is needed. Hair for our older girls is braided-they both help braid all the dancers hair.

They are AMAZING!!

We did Turtle Power for our boys hip hop song one year - Sandy (mom/gma to all of them) - made us eye covers for all the boys to wear.

They post on Facebook about Just For Kix ALL THE TIME. First and last day of practice, Halloween performance, picture week, shows, nursing home & Relay For Life performances. We were a sponsor for Taelor this summer when she was in the Princess Pageant (and got 1st runner up). Because I sponsored her I was also asked to emcee (free publicity)! They share a lot of our posts, they help hang signs in the community, have yard signs in their yards, talk about it to everyone they know, have tons of JFK clothes that they wear all the time, they’ve submitted stories to the paper, talk about it at work, and more!

MORE ABOUT THE LINK FAMILY FAMILY THAT DANCES: Chelsey & Trisha (moms class) London - 8 years Macie - 7 years Taelor - 4 years Jaxton - 3 years

Oden - 3 years Oliver - 1st year Trisha - 1 Year/Special Session Chelsey - 1 Year/Special Session

Chelsey was the one that pushed us to start a mom class.

They’re the first ones at performances/practices and always asking if I need help with anything. Macie is in 2 classes & London is in 4 (all that she can be). London ended up in a boot last year and was on crutches the last month of practices. She was still at EVERY practice despite that. She ended up not being able to perform at our spring show but mom still helped with the groups like normal as did London.

When Londons groups were performing she was on the floor next to me cheering them on.

I’m sure I’m missing things, but I truly can’t explain how amazing and helpful they are!

By McKenzie Overby Wahpeton Just For Kix Director

Featured Families 2020 The Kovarik Family WEST UNION

Parents: Keith and Kelli Kovarik Sibling: Andrew Emma - 11 years

EVENTS THEY’VE GONE TO:

Youth camp in Austin, Middle School Camp in Rochester, OBB with entire family, TWD in Rochester and Decorah, Nationals.

I KNOW I CAN COUNT ON THEM!

Kelli video records each of our shows. Whenever we have extra classes that a dancer can take, they sign up Emma. When we were fundraising for OBB, they always had great ideas and were always willing to take over an event so it was less stress for me. We tried to get a boys Hip Hop class going and Andrew was signed up, but we just didn’t get enough to have the class.

Kelli has taken time away from home/work to chaperone dancers at youth camp. Keith has run fundraisers at his business to help our dancers get to OBB. Kelli is always offering to lend a hand in whatever we are working on and Keith takes awesome pictures at events. If I need to ask for help with anything, I know I can count on them!

By Katrina Schmidt West Union Just For Kix Director

Featured Families 2020

The Woodward Family ROCHESTER

Parents: Morris and Tim Woodward Tori - 5 years Alex - 12 years

Keegan - 8 years

EVENTS THEY’VE GONE TO:

JFK youth camps, JFK High School Camp, 3 Outback Tours, soloists

110% ALL THE TIME!

Volunteer time - set up, back stage, security, tear down of all shows and events Share social media Morris always has exactly what you need when you need it - band aids, label maker, pins, tampons, highlighter, fold out sand chairs (yes she packed two for outback bowl) Willing to speak with new families and encourage team environment at studio and events Tim - always willing to be the muscle, provide snacks for staff Alex- amazing dancer and positive role model. 110% all the time. Helps around studio and show needs Keegan - ball of energy and keeps me on my toes. Has fun ideas for class and team connection Supportive of ALL dancers and JFK staff Encourage others to join JFK by sharing kind words and personal experiences about staff and program Follow and support studio culture and encourage and educate others to do the same Sings praises of Cindy Clough and Just For Kix as a whole since they are parents of dancers for over 15 years - they’ve seen the growth not just of Rochester but entire company

By Bethany Morrisey Rochester Just For Kix Director

2021

FOR THE FULL CAMP BROCHURE, PLEASE GO TO WWW.JUSTFORKIX.COM/DANCECAMPS

K-9th Grade JUST FOR KIX

Summer

DANCe CAMP Register today at justforkix.com/dancecamps WINDSOR, CO ---------- JULY 7 - 9 (K-5TH GRADE) ST. CLOUD, MN -------- JULY 15 – 17 WEST FARGO, ND ----- JULY 15 - 17 LAKEVILLE, MN -------- JULY 29 - 31 BRAINERD, MN -------- AUGUST 5 - 7

TO DOWNLOAD.

RESILIENCE

2021

J U S T FOR KIX HIGH SCHOOL

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS

STORM LAKE, IA

GREEN BAY, WI

WINDSOR, CO COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA

BRAINERD, MN

BRAINERD, MN

BRAINERD, MN

JUNE 27-30 JULY 7-10 JULY 7-9 JULY 11-13 JULY 11-14 JULY 18-21 JULY 25-28

*CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES

Welcome to the 2021 Just For Kix High School Dance Camp! Our camps are second to none. Dance teams come back year after year.

They love our attention to detail, our caring staff, and our fantastic choreography.

B EGINNERS AN D EL IT E S UPERB CAM P STAF F D AILY TECHN IQUE T RAI NI NG B RE AT H TAKIN G CHOREO G R A P H Y LO W S T RESS EN V IRON M E NT FULL LE N GT H ROUT IN ES COACH CL ASSES FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT JUSTFORKIX.COM/HIGHSCHOOLCAMP