The whispers onstage quieted down and the audience held their applause.  Everyone waited with baited breath - Chris was about to announce Student of the Year. 

"The 2009 Student of the Year goes to Brittany Sutphin," Chris revealed, and the auditorium erupted in cheers.  This was the moment Brittany had dreamed of since she was a little girl.

"Brittany has been a part of our dance studio since she was three years old.  She actually started out as a shy little girl.  After her first year, she stopped dancing altogether.  Luckily, not only did I see a lot of potential in Brittany at a young age, but my father did as well.  He talked to Brittany's grandfather, who was a friend of his, and convinced him to get Brittany back to the studio."

When Brittany gave it another try, she really blossomed.  She started out in recreational classes and within a few months, she was invited to join our youngest company class. 

Brittany shined right away as a great performer in our company.  She started learning and competing solos at the ripe age of 6!  Not only has Brittany always scored well at dance competitions as a soloist and as a member of group routines, but she was also named the Chris Collins Dance Studio Performer of the Year, in 2008.

"While her first love is tap, Brittany has grown in all forms of dance over the years.  She has been a well rounded dance student and very dedicated to our studio," Collins said.  He continued, "In recent years she has become a great leader, within her own groups, as well as a student teacher that many of our younger students look up to.  I am so proud to bestow the 2009 Student of the Year award to Brittany."

"It's especially meaningful to me that Brittany is receiving a scholarship in my late father's name, since it was because of him that Brittany gave dancing another try, so many years ago!"