Another wonderful year has passed and JAM would like
to acknowledge a few of the Highlights of 2019.

This Is Me

This talented group of 78 dancers had another amazing competitive year.  The team competed in five competitions across Ontario, bringing home over 150 overall awards and numerous scholarships.  Some of the awards included the following:  Highest Mark of the Competition (Amazing Grace), Top Studio of the Competition, Ultimate Shine Award (Work Song, This is Me and Amazing Grace), Best Presentation (Zombie), Most Entertaining (Whole Lotta Woman), Best Costume (Shake it Off), Top Choreography (This is Me), Top Young Choreographer (Work Song) to name just a few.  Congratulation team on a job well done!!

Pino Gravina Memorial Award and Sequins Plus Awards

Pictured from left to right - Miss Jennifer, Julia Gravina, Kiera Smith and Stella Caines-Peric

The Pino Gravina award was created in memory of Miss Jennifer’s late husband.  It is awarded every year to 2 – 3 students who have worked hard, shown consistently good work ethic and determination – qualities that exemplified who Pino was as a person.  The 2019 recipients of this award are Stella Caines-Peric, Julia Gravina and Kiera Smith.

Pictured above are Jean Godinho and Miss Jennifer

Each year, Sequins Plus in Oshawa, generously donates a scholarship to be presented to a dancer that the staff feel is deserving.  The 2019 winner of this award is Jean Godinho.

In addition to the above awards, the studio also has its staff nominate dancers for awards in the category of “Outstanding Potential” and “Most Improved” to be recognized at the June recital.  This years’ recipients are as follows:

OUTSTANDING POTENTIAL:
Sarah Brady, Arianna Chiapparro, Madelyn Clark, Elyse D’Souza, Isabella Hopkins, Jessica Jacko, Ally Kennedy, Shaye Kimura, Leia Lei, Rylan Lingenfelter, Sophia Medeiros, Olivia Melnechenko, Alyssa Plummer, Emily Romeo, Elin Soulliere, Kennadie Soulliere, Emma Summers, Chloe Thompson, Addison Weatherup, Siobhan Wilding and Marya Yama.

MOST IMPROVED:
Kennedy Adair, Cailyn Augustin, Ashley Brown, Georgia Buchanan, Celia Calderone, Jocelyn Cornett, Kayley deJager, Ava DeSousa, Sophia Divizio, Vanessa Jacko, Marie Lewis, Natalie Malyjasiak, Aiden McConachie, Mika Nawrocki, Taylor Noble, Alyssa Robinson, Sophia Santomero, Eva Saunders, Addy Schwass, Naomi Smith, Zoe Warren and Livi Wright.

The studio was also able to provide scholarships to dancers for the Breaking Bounds Summer Intensive and Fall Intensive.
This years recipients are:

Breaking Bounds - Summer Intensive
Lauryne Beriault, Alexa Campkin, Sarah Dover, Charlotte Kalmanson, Shae MacNeil, Alyssa McCarron, Kyla Payne, Emily Romeo, Caitlyn Sanderson and Jahlissa Smith.

Breaking Bounds - Fall Intensive
Claire Archer, Emma Budd, Arianna Chiapparro, Bianca Cudel, Aubrey-Jean Jenereaux, Spencer Ross, Sophia Roy, Sarah Sethi, Kelsey Wakely and Tia Wright.

BATD Scholarships

Each year upon completion of the B.A.T.D. examinations, the examiner may choose to select students to attend scholarship classes when outstanding results have been obtained.  These students will participate in classes held at the B.A.T.D. National Conference in Toronto.  The following students have been recognized and will be taking part in this prestigious event:

In the Ballet Division  - Hailey Barrett, Rachel Bennett, Jean Godinho, Caitlyn Sanderson, Kiera Smith and Kelsey Wakely..
In the Tap Division – Claire Archer, Natalie Malyjasiak, Eve Schmeichel and Abby Watson.

Light The Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma

For the 12th consecutive year “Stallion Survivors” has participated in the Light the Night Walk for Leukemia & Lymphoma.  We walk every year in memory of Miss Jennifer’s late husband – Pino Gravina, and in support of those currently battling this disease.  This year our team raised $14,565, making our total raised to date just under $180,000…..Pino would be so proud of this accomplishment.   We would like to thank everyone who has supported us in this cause…we couldn’t do it without everyone’s love and support.  Thank you for helping us make a difference in this cause that is very near and dear to our heart.

Durham Regional Police Food and Toy Drive

We would just like to thank all of our parents and students who again this year have generously donated to this cause.   We were able to take 5 large boxes of food and toys to be donated to the Police station.   Your actions reflect the true JAM spirit in helping others.   Thank you for helping make a difference.