Seven area dancers from Rhythm In Motion Dance Centre of Ada participated in the 2013 Outback Bowl pregame and halftime shows on New Year’s Day, according to Darcey Schneider, studio owner.

Schneider told The Icon that she submitted an audition tape last January to Just For Kix, the organization in charge of the pregame and halftime shows, and secured a spot for the group of dancers when RIMDC made the cut and was invited to perform in this amazing opportunity.

The group of seven RIMDC dancers who traveled to Tampa, Florida, to participate in the Outback Bowl included:

• senior Kendra Paul (Ada High School),
• junior Kelsey Zimmerly (Ada High School),
• sophomore Erica Sheehan (Bluffton High School),
• freshman Amelia Heslep (Bluffton High School),
• freshman Ashley Schweyer (Bluffton High School),
• middle school student Evan Smittle (Ada) and
• middle school student Olyvia Sloan (Upper Scioto Valley).

Schneider told The Icon: "Dancers performed in both pregame and half-time shows. Every year, hundreds of dancers from across the United States perform in front of over 60,000 Outback Bowl fans."

She added: "The Just For Kix performance tours are known for an amazing ultimate performance with their perfect balance of performance and fun, first-rate choreography.  The Just For Kix dancers perform center field and are surrounded by hundreds of marching band members. With live music, the beautiful Raymond James Stadium as a stage and the Outback Bowl fans, this is a sure ticket to a thrilling performance.

"JFK packs this experience with seven days and six nights of fun. This includes a day at Clearwater Beach, an excursion to Busch Gardens, New Year’s Eve Celebration and a day at Disney World."

Quotes and Information about Just For Kix are on their website www.justforkix.com.