Above the Barre goes beyond at I Love Dance competition

MUNDELEIN – Gurnee Park District’s competitive dance company, Above the Barre, demonstrated precision, poise and success at the 41st annual I Love Dance competition.

With fifth-year veterans, the success of the company was no surprise to Kris Norwood, dance coordinator for Gurnee Park District.

“Team dynamic goes beyond hard work and dedication,” she said in a news release. “It’s a joint effort and it shows through the friendships made and parent support. We are truly a dance family.”

In addition to company performance awards, Sam Murphey was honored with the Teachers Excellence Award for the second consecutive year.

Above the Barre dancers included:

Petite division: Lilani DeVries, Penelope Gregana, Eyrn Quinain, Anna Smith, Alexis Tandio

Jr. division: Olivia Brunson, Lily Burch, Angela Elliott, Sofia Gebusion, Taylor Kuhn, Camila Pena, Sophia Rodriguez, Mary Smith, Anna Veronie

Sr. 1 division: Josephine Byers, Cara Deney, Olivia Kunz, Abby Mietus, Janae Vaughn

Sr. 2 division: Mollie Gibbons, Alice Jiang, Emma Kunz