Pictured is Positively Dance, front, from left: Hailey Dodd, Sydnie Wellman, Kaylee Hewitt, Caroline McLoughin, Lucinda Krieger, Zoe Garnett and Erica Nash; second row: Katherine Pielemeier, Elizabeth Stockwell, Mary Wright, Maddy Carter, Jenna Tidey, Savanna Yu and Nicole Irwin; third row: Laurynn Hill, Mariah-Joy Francois, Brooklyn Hill, Meghan Nye, MiKayla Bunn, Ada Francois, Gabrielle Davis and Sarah Wagner; back: Alyssa Wainwright, Mary Green, Brittany Malin, Rachel Lindemulder, Marilla Opra, Paulina Yu, Rachael Kidman, Sarah Wright, Chelsa Hamm and MaKenzie Ruff.

Positively Dance has been very busy lately with activities in southwest Michigan and beyond.
They recently completed a collection drive for personal items for children and teens in local communities. It was brought to the group’s attention that there was a need for personal care items at local schools.
Positively Dance responded by collecting toiletries and other personal care items to donate to Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Decatur and Edwardsburg schools. These items will be distributed by school personnel to students in need.
The Positively Dance competition team recently competed at two Dance America regional competitions. The first was in Chicago Feb. 17-18. They also attended the Detroit competition March 10.
The team received 26 first places, eight seconds, one third, one fifth and one merit award (combined results).
Eight dancers qualified for the Dancer of the Year program at Dance America’s finals this year.
In the senior division, Mary Green of Cassopolis, Sarah Wagner of Watervliet, Jenna Tidey of Eau Claire, Paulina Yu of Paw Paw and Savanna Yu of Paw Paw qualified.
Junior DOTY qualifiers were MiKayla Bunn of Paw Paw, Mary Wright of Cassopolis and Mariah-Joy Francois of Dowagiac. These ladies have the opportunity to participate in a special program with other dancers from across the United States in July.
The team was awarded Overall Best Technical Execution for Handful of Keys, Overall Best Precision for Super Mario Brothers and Overall Best Emotional Execution for Frost.
Other awards included Junior High Score Solo — Mariah-Joy Francois; Junior High Score Due — Super Mario Brothers; Junior First Runner-up High Score Duo — Hey Mickey; Junior Second Runner-up Small Group — Rockin’ Robin; Junior Second Runner-up High Score Large Group — Hold Me; Senior Second Runner-up Production — Pirates of the Caribbean; and Senior Second Runner-up High Score Small Group — Creatures.
Savanna Yu was recognized with the Senior Most Promising Performer Award, given to a performer judges believed stood out for the whole competition.
The performance team is now preparing to present its spring show next month.
All 33 members of Positively Dance will perform at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center.
Tickets for the show will be available from any Positively Dance member or may be purchased at MKSOD. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for students before the show or $7 for adults and $5 for students at the door. Children under 5 are free. Call 782-7869 for more information.
Positively Dance is also getting ready to participate in the Schoolcraft Showcase of Talent May 5 at Schoolcraft High School.  Dance studios in southwest Michigan will gather to perform and raise funds for the families of two area children suffering from bone cancer.
Following the Schoolcraft event, Positively Dance will be attending the Dance America National Finals. The group has been invited to travel with Carnival Cruise lines, performing on the cruise and in the Bahamas this July.
A raffle is planned to raise funds. Tickets cost $5 each. Winners will be drawn on June 10.

Positively Dance is directed by Kathy Miller. Instructors include Kathy Miller, Heidi Sibley, Amanda Hewitt, Randi Count, MacKenzie Bunn and Mallory Cox.
The team is supported by Positively Dance Boosters.