Class of 2007 dancers honored by Dalton Dance Company performance

Published 12:04 am Sunday, March 26, 2017

The Dalton Arts Project will honor the dancers of the Class of 2007 at the Dalton Dance Company’s performance today of “One More Time” by performing some of the same pieces these young ladies danced 10 years ago. Even though they have concluded their dancing years together, they continue their exciting adventures all over the world, able to meet life’s joys and challenges with the confidence, composure, discipline and dedication developed in the studio.

Sara Brandon, a 2007 graduate of Dalton High School, attended the University of Alabama where she majored in public relations with a double minor in psychology and political science. After graduation, she worked in Mobile, Ala., for a year and then moved to Atlanta. She is currently living in Nashville, Tenn., which she loves because she thinks “Music City” provides lots of opportunities to dance. Sara believes dance taught her “discipline, creativity and dedication” which are all qualities that allow her “to excel in both her personal and professional life.”

After graduating from Dalton High School in 2007, Maria Brigman attended the University of Georgia where she earned a bachelor of science degree in child and family development. After college, she returned to Dalton to work in the behavioral health field with Georgia HOPE and Highland Rivers Health. In 2015, Maria moved to Savannah to begin working on her master of arts in education. She is currently teaching preschool at Savannah Country Day School. Maria says, “Dance was a creative outlet for me from the age of 3 to 18. It was a way for me to grow not only as an artist, but also as a person. I believe that my time spent in tights and tutus taught me the value of hard work, the art of confidence and the meaning of friendship. I will forever be grateful for my experiences on the stage and in the studio.”

Jaimie Brown, a 2007 Dalton High School graduate, continued her education and dancing career at Georgia Southern University. She earned her bachelor of science in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science, and was a member of the GSU Dance Team. After college, she worked in Knoxville, Tenn., for a year before moving to Atlanta. While in Atlanta, Jaime worked for the Alexander-Tharpe Fund in the athletic department for Georgia Tech. Currently, she is employed at Dewberry Capital as the Dewberry Foundation director and as a member of the in-house design firm, StudioDew. Jaimie is engaged to John Dewberry of Waynesboro, Va., and their wedding will be held in July 2017. She says dancing has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. “Dance Theatre of Dalton, through Mrs. Long’s guidance and grace, has truly been a blessing in my life and in so many others. The life lessons learned at DTD about dedication, self-discipline, confidence, teamwork and time management are still vital tools” she uses in her everyday life and career. “I am forever thankful and grateful for the many memories, lessons and lifelong friends I gained while dancing at DTD,” says Jaimie.

After graduating from Dalton High School, Mimi Ensley earned a bachelor of arts in English literature and a bachelor of arts in journalism at the University of Georgia. At UGA, Mimi continued dancing by teaching a weekly dance class for elementary school students at the Boys and Girls Club in Athens. In 2011, Mimi continued her studies in the United Kingdom and earned a master of arts in medieval English literatures from the University of York. Currently, Mimi teaches literature as a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the English department at the University of Notre Dame. The confidence and work ethic that Mimi acquired during her dance training has continued to have a positive impact on her life, both professionally and personally.

Allison Brown Howell graduated from Dalton High School and attended Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn. She graduated with a bachelor of science in biology and continued her education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., where she obtained her doctorate degree in physical therapy in 2014. She married Tripp Howell, also from Dalton, while in graduate school. They reside in Nashville and Allison works as a physical therapist at Advanced Ortho and Spine in Mount Juliet, Tenn. She says, “I will always treasure my time at the Dance Theatre of Dalton. It was through dance that I became interested in body mechanics and the importance of health and wellness which led me to the career of physical therapy.”

Alison Woodworth Johnson graduated from Dalton High School and attended the University of Georgia. She earned a bachelor of arts in Spanish, a bachelor of arts in international affairs and a certificate as a medical interpreter. Upon graduation, Alison went to work for the University of Georgia in Costa Rica in 2012. She worked for the university in the office as well as translating tours for visitors and student groups. After almost a year abroad, she came back to the U.S. and began to work in special education. In 2013, she married and moved to upstate New York where she earned a master’s in general and special education with a certificate in autism. She lived and worked in New York for four years before returning to Dalton with her husband. She is currently a special education teacher at City Park Elementary and volunteers for the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia as a translator. Alison says, “Dance prepared her for her journey” by giving her “confidence, creativity and work ethic.” She also says, “Dance always pushed me to be my best and work for every opportunity I could, and I have carried this with me,” and now feels she can “give back” to her students and her community.

Kerry Haugland attended Dalton State College for one year after graduating from high school in 2007. During that time she was an assistant dance teacher at Dance Theatre of Dalton. She graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in art history and currently lives in Atlanta where she works as a global insurance broker for Lockton Companies in the Employee Benefits Department. She says many of her “fondest memories are from dance” and that she thinks she “will always be a dancer at heart”.

Lorna Parkinson graduated from Notre Dame High School in 2007 and continued her education at the University of Georgia where she earned a bachelor of science and arts in biological sciences and a bachelor of science in psychology. After college, she moved to Charleston, S.C., to work in education at the South Carolina Aquarium. While living in Charleston, Lorna continued to dance as a ballroom instructor with Carolina DanceSport. From 2012-2015, she participated in “Dancing with ARK’s Stars,” an annual fundraiser for The ARK, Alzheimer’s Family Support Services in Summerville, S.C. She also attended the College of Charleston where she earned a master of science degree in environmental studies in 2015. She now works for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., as a contract research associate. Lorna says, “Dancing always gave me such joy and I certainly would not be the person I am without it. Mrs. Long has a remarkable ability to instill confidence and grace in her students that they carry with them not only on stage but throughout all aspects of life. I’m truly grateful for all the life lessons, skills, memories and friends that the Dance Theatre of Dalton gave me.”

Amanda Smith Skaggs has remained active in the dance world since graduating from Dalton High School in 2007. Amanda earned a bachelor of science in psychology with a double minor in dance and creative arts therapies from Georgia College & State University. While in college, she spent a portion of her time teaching dance to adults with developmental disabilities. Upon graduation, Amanda returned to the Dalton area where she came back “home” to the Dance Theatre of Dalton, this time as a teacher. Amanda and her husband currently reside in Cleveland, Tenn., with their two daughters. She works at the Montessori School of Cleveland where she has the opportunity to teach a weekly dance class. Amanda does not believe her love of dance will ever die. She believes dance is a gift and hopes to continue passing that gift on to younger generations.

In 2007, Jerikka Smith graduated from Dalton High School, and she earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of West Georgia in 2011. As a college student, she taught dance classes at the Carrollton Academy of Dance. She went on to pursue a doctor of physical therapy degree from Alabama State University. She is employed as a licensed physical therapist at Emory Rehabilitation. She helps patients recovering from total joint replacements, low back pain and balance deficits. Jerikka says, “I will always be appreciative of my dance background because it helped enhance my coordination as well as helped me develop great self-esteem and confidence.”

Today’s performance is at 2 p.m. in the Dalton High School theater. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and are available at the DHS theater door. For more information, please call (706) 529-2787 (ARTS) or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.