Local dance studio competes at national championships

Mark Harris, right, and students at Walters Dance Center in Kansas City, Kan., were well represented at national dance championships recently. (Photo from Walters Dance Center)
Mark Harris, right, and students at Walters Dance Center in Kansas City, Kan., were well represented at national dance championships recently. (Photo from Walters Dance Center)

Kansas City, Kan., and Walters Dance Center were well represented last week at the American Country Dance Association National Championships.

In the Newcomer Swing Jack and Jill, Joann Luedke won first place, and Rebecca Moore won second place.

In the Ladies Pro-Am Country Divisions, Shelby Huddleston won second place overall in Junior Youth, Joann Luedke won third place overall in Gold Newcomer, Jane Buttenhoff won fourth place overall in Gold Intermediate, and Rebecca Moore received all Gold scores, all dancing with their pro, Mark Harris.

In the Men’s Pro-Am Country Divisions, Ed Fukunaga won first place overall in Gold Novice, dancing with his pro, Shelley Judd, Charles Huddleston won fourth place overall in Silver Novice dancing with his pro, Mary Harris, and Ted Haase won second place in Gold Newcomer, dancing with his pro, Pris Allen.

Pris Allen and James Netherton won second place in Division II. Mark Harris and Shelley Judd won first place in pro-pro.

Marta Elder judged country divisions and Mark Harris judged the swing contests.