Students – Dancers of the Year and Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Recipients!

A Step Above is proud to offer four Dance Scholarships every year to our dancers. Ms. Sierra offers one Empire Team and one Dynasty Team dancer a scholarship towards tuition.

Our STAR Parent Organization chooses a student each year for their scholarship and also presents the Robert Harmon Memorial Scholarship as well.

  • 2023 Dynasty Team Scholarship Recipient – Reagan McMillion
  • 2023 Empire Team Scholarship Recipient -Aurora Hornberger
  • 2023 STAR Parent Scholarship Recipient – Harley Davenport
  • 2023 Robert Harmon Memorial Scholarship Recipient- Emma McCall and Lainy Wilmoth

Our prestigious Dancer of the Year showcases the leadership and teamwork we value

A Step Above Dance Studio is proud to give out our prestigious Dancer of the Year award to students who show leadership, teamwork values, and who is an outstanding role model and dancer. Voted on by the Competition Team Dancers, the award is given to two dancers each year. Each Dancer of the Year wins our Dancer of the Year trophy, a slew of wonderful gifts, and the title is theirs for an entire year!

2023 Senior Dancer of the Year:

Madeleine “Maddie” Finch

Meet Madeleine 

Madeleine’s Favorites:

Food: Fettuccine Alfredo
Color: Yellow
Movie: Twilight
Book: Shadow Hunters Series
Song: Creep by Radiohead
Competition: Celebration
Activity, other than dance: Color Guard
Actor/Actress: Florence Pugh
Season: Spring
Place to Eat: Macaroni Grill
Snack: Cheez-It
Dream Vacation: Switzerland

How many years have your attended ASA? 11 Years

Madeleine’s This or That

Coke or Pepsi: Coke
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Winter or Fall: Fall
Hot or Cold: Cold
Red or Blue: Blue
Morning or Night: Night
Breakfast or Dinner: Dinner
Gold or Silver: Gold
Diamond or Pearl: Pearl
Wish or Dream: Dream
Cake or Ice Cream: Ice Cream
Most Memorable ASA Dance Moment: At Spirit Palooza when the moms of the girls in “Mama I’m A Big Girl Now” performed their kids’ dance!

Let’s Get To Know Madeleine:

My name is Madeleine Finch but everyone calls me Maddie. I am 18 years old and have been dancing since I was 8 years old. I have one sister Amelia (Millie) Finch, and a twin brother, Jude Finch. My parents are named Dixie and James. I was born in Colorado and moved here in the second grade. My dad still lives in Colorado so I visit him during the holidays which means I travel a lot. I am a Freshman Bowling Green University studying forensics. I graduated from Shawnee High School in 2023. My favorite subject in school was math. At school, I loved being part of the Color Guard. I had the honor of holding the position of student leader in the guard for two years. I was also a part of my school’s Anti Racism Club, and Drama Club. I also enjoyed taking part in my school’s musicals and plays. I was a part of my school’s A Capella Choir and a small singing group called Una Voce.

Outside of school, I like going out with my friends to travel or shop. I spend a lot of my time at dance but when I am not dancing you can find me crocheting, watching shows and movies, or studying for school.

I graduated with 11 years of dancing experience. Dancing has helped me meet so many new people and create lasting friendships. I love dancing because it allows me to see my improvement over the years. It is a sport that allows me to work for myself and not just compete against others. Dancing helps me express myself in a beautiful way. I hope to keep dance in my life even after I graduate.

2023 Junior Dancer of the Year:

Brynn Melton

Meet Brynn

Brynn’s Favorites

Food: French Fries
Color: Blue
Movie: Midnight Sun
Book: Wonder
Song: Party in the U.S.A.
Competition: Ticket to Broadway
Activity, other than dance: Making clay bead bracelets
Actor/Actress: Ian Somerhalder
Season: Spring
Place to Eat: Applebee’s
Snack: Oreos
Dream Vacation: 
Paris

How many years have your attended ASA? 7 years

Brynn’s This or That

Coke or Pepsi: Coke
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Winter or Fall: Fall
Hot or Cold: Cold
Red or Blue: Blue
Morning or Night: Night
Breakfast or Dinner: Breakfast
Gold or Silver: Silver
Diamond or Pearl: Diamond
Wish or Dream: Dream
Cake or Ice Cream: Ice Cream

Most Memorable ASA Dance Moment: My first time performing my first solo on stage.

Let’s Get To Know Brynn:

I’m Brynn Melton. I am 12 years old and in 7th grade. My birthday is. March 22nd. My parents are Kiley and James Melton. I have an older brother named Kaedyn and two younger sisters named Gracyn and Paityn. I go to school at St. Charles Catholic School.

I have been dancing for 7 years. I dance because it’s my comfort zone. I love dancing, my teammates, and the faculty. When I’m at dance I know I won’t be judged. Forget an 8-count of my dance? “You tried your best.” “Need help?” “I got you.” “I’m right here.” Those are all sayings I will hear. My teammates and teachers are always right there. I know I can count on them. My teachers and teammates help me learn and grow. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for their support.

When I’m not dancing, I’m hanging out with my cats, family, or friends. I also love making clay bead bracelets. I like shopping and going to the mall. I like candles too. I love perfumes from bath and body works and lotions. I like taking fun trips to Walmart with friends. My favorite subject in school is science because my science teacher is my favorite.

Keepers of the Dancer of the Year title!

2021
Junior —  Bunny White
Senior — Jazz Holbrook-Phillips

2020
Junior – Lainy Wilmoth
Senior – Megan Kizer

2019
Junior – Ella LeMar
Senior – Tod Fish and Ashlee Harmon

2018
Junior – Alanah Cook
Senior – Kayleigh Boyed

2017
Junior – Addie Delph
Senior – Lillie Crowe

2016
Junior – Mackenzie Burden
Senior – Amelia Heslep

2015
Junior – Lily Webb
Senior – Olyvia Sloan

2014
Sierra Harmon

2013
Ashley Crowe

2012
Billy Foster

2011
Haylee Dunahay

2010
Jordyn Rider

2009
Danielle Denison


“I personally want to commend all your dancers from this weekend at Applause. You were all great and the respect you showed each team that won First place was awesome! Good luck in the future!”

— Tim Keever,
a parent that we competed with at a dance competition