Day Five: Going Out On A High Note!

Saturday's finale of the FAWC was a real crowd pleaser!

This week's FAWC was jam-packed daily with non-stop dancing from early morning to late night. Saturday's schedule, the last day of the event was no different. The competitors were up and at it by 9 AM for the Matinee Session and then later had a well-deserved evening of dinner, cocktails, "leisurely" dancing, and awards presentations.

1st place winners in Bronze Closed Latin Scholarships and Silver International Latin Championships (B Category): Janet Nadile and Sergei Tryl (Tarrytown, NY)

1st place winners in Open Latin Scholarship and Gold International Championship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulos and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)

1st place winners in Open Latin Scholarship and Open International Latin Championship (B Category): Vicki Barbera and Jonah Schneider (Indianapolis, IN)

1st place winners in Bronze Closed Latin Scholarship/Gold International Championship/Gold International Ballroom Championship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulos and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)

 Saturday Matinee Results:

Bronze International Ballroom Championship (C Category): Yu-Lan Lin and Istvan Cserven (Belmont, MA)
Bronze International Ballroom Championship (B Category):  Janet Nadile and Dimitriy Saykovskky (Tarrytown, NY)
Bronze International Ballroom Championship (A Category): Pierrette Quintiliani and Heiko Leyhausen (Old Saybrook, CT)
Silver International Ballroom Championship (C Category): Margaret Law and Istvan Cserven (Belmont, MA)
Silver International Ballroom Championship (B Category): Sima Chervin and Vladimir Triaszin (Rochester, MA)
Bronze Closed International Ballroom Scholarship (C Category): Ingrid Totten and Elmar Schmidt (Brookfield, WI)
Bronze Closed International Ballroom Scholarship (B Category): Janet Nadile and Dimitriy Saykovskky (Tarrytown, NY)
Bronze Closed International Ballroom Scholarship (A Category): Brianna Yadgir and Chris Germain (Chicago North, IL)
Gold International Ballroom Championship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulus and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)
Open International Ballroom Scholarship (C Category):  Pam Olsen and Vadim Gazda (Pewaukee, WI)
Open International Ballroom Scholarship (B Category): Sima Chervin and Vladimir Triaszin (Rochester, NY)
Open International Ballroom Scholarship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulus and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)
Bronze International Latin Championship (B Category): Janet Nadile and Sergei Tryl (Tarrytown, NY)
Gold International Championship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulus and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)
Silver International Latin Championship (B Category): Janet Nadile and Sergei Tryl (Tarrytown, NY)
Open International Latin Championship (B Category): Vicki Barbera and Jonah Schneider (Indianapolis, IN)
Bronze Closed Latin Scholarship (B Category): Janet Nadile and Sergei Tryl (Tarrytown, NY)
Open Latin Scholarship (B Category): Vicki Barbera and Jonah Schneider (Indianapolis, IN)
Open Latin Scholarship (A Category): Estefania Papadopulus and Ben Seifert (Houston Woodlands, TX)

Event organizer John Gates warming up for Saturday night's festivities.

FADS Indianapolis folk: Vicki Barbera, Jonah Schneider, John Rudnick and Lindsay Rutherford.

Evening dance party.

Fred Astaire New England region.

Day Two: Energy Levels at All-Time Highs!

Fred Astaire (Dance Studios) World Championships,
San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Wednesday was amazing, with the dancers displaying energy levels that carried them far into the night. Compliments flew for the competition's organizers and teachers who collaborated on a  fast-paced,efficient system that kept everyone moving and smoothly filled, emptied, and re-filled the dance floor at an unprecedented pace. Wednesday's watchword, though, was definitely 'camaraderie' as everyone by this time had been touched by the warm, all-inclusive spirit of every FADS family member in attendance. 

And a special shout out to Bonnie Schoenberg (Chicago North) who finished 78 heats today and still felt sad that the dancing was over! 

Susan Curling and and pro-partner, Kevin Prothro of Houston, won the American Rhythm Bronze Closed Division (B).

Jupiter's Maria Romano and  pro-partner, Sergh Aliev, won the American Rhythm Bronze Closed Championships (C).

Cattleya-Anne Veluz and pro-partner, Brandon Barranco, of FADS Birmingham, placed first in the American Rhythm Bronze Closed Championships (A).

First in the American Rhythm Silver Closed Championships (A) went to Brianna Yadgir and pro-partner, Aaron DeSoto,  from FADS Chicago North.

The American Rhythm Silver Closed Championships (C) winners were Cyndi Olivia and pro-partner, Chris Germain, from FADS Chicago North.

Tom Kremer and pro-partner Julia Emil from FADS Chicago West Loop took first in the American Rhythm Silver Closed Championships (AC-AMA).

Annette Monks and pro-partner Ben Seifert from FADS Houston-Woodlands won first in the American  Rhythm Silver Closed Championships (B).

FADS Chicago North's Brianna Yadgir and pro-partner Aaron DeSoto won first in the American  Rhythm Open Championships (A). FADS Corporate is sponsoring this category and the winner will represent the organization at USBC. FADS President and CEO Jack Rothweiler stands third from left.

Vicki Barbera and pro-partner Jonah Schneider, FADS Indianapolis, took first place in the American Rhythm Open Silver  Championships (B) and will be sponsored by FADS Corporate in this category for USBC participation. Jack Rothweiler also appears in this photo (back row, third from left).

The American Rhythm Open Championships (C) first place winners were Pam Olsen and pro-partner Vadim Gazda of FADS Pewaukee.

Maria Romano and pro-partner Sergh Aliev of FADS Jupiter, took first in the Bronze Closed Rhythm Scholarships (C). In front, far right, are FADS VP and Franchising Director, Al King and his wife, Debbie.

Cattleya-Anne Veluz and her pro-partner Brandon Barranco, both from Birmingham, won the Bronze Closed Rhythm Scholarship (A). 

FADS Chicago North's Bonnie Schoenberg and pro-partner Chris Germain placed first in the Bronze Closed Rhythm Scholarships (B).

Annette Monks with pro-partner Ben Seifert, Houston Woodlands, won the the Silver Closed American Rhythm Scholarship (B). 

Ashley Quibilan and pro-partner Ryan Lockhart, Oceanside, winners of the Open Rhythm Scholarship (A)

Bob Koehler and Kristen Dobson, his pro-partner, are from Youngstown. They took first place in
the Open Rhythm Scholarship (C)

From Indianapolis, Vicki Barbera and Jonah Schneider, pro-partner, won the Open Rhythm Scholarship (B). 

Cyndi Oliva and her pro-partner Chris Germain of Chicago North, first in Silver Closed Rhythm Scholarship (C). 

Day One Results: Back in San Juan!

Opening Day: Fred Astaire (Dance Studios) World Championships, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

The first day of competitions for students (and professionals) from Fred Astaire Dance Studios across the U.S. was both exhilarating and emotional. The four hour Showcase Extravaganza at the Caribe Hilton which included Bronze, Silver and Gold Solo, Novelty and Bronze, Silver, Gold Showcase performances was the kick-off to the annual four day event that's been held in San Juan since 2009. Veterans of this premiere competition event no doubt have fond recollections of past years, but will also sadly note that this is the final event in Puerto Rico.

 This is Jamie Rivera's (FADS Houston) first national competition. He and his pro-partner, Tarin Smith, feel great competing tonight.

Pierrette Quintiliani and her pro-partner, Heiko Leyhausen, from FADS Old Saybrook, CT, enjoy the atmosphere and all the other accomplished dancers on the floor.

Jim Oberman from FADS Chicago South Mokena savors his top Bronze Showcase Male award.

Margaret Law from FADS Belmont took top Bronze Showcase Female.

Aidan Boutin from FADS Middletown took top Junior Showcase.

Ingrid Totten from FADS Brookfield (CT) took top Silver Showcase Female.

Bob Koehler from FADS Youngstown receives an award for top Novelty Male.

Lois Davis from FADS Willoughby takes top Novelty Female.

Other winners in the Solo Division tonight:

Top Bronze Solo Male: Larry Markowitz (Tarrytown, NY)
Top Bronze Solo Female: Christine Coulter (Pewaukee, WI)
Top Silver Solo Female: Pam Olsen (Pewaukee, WI)
Top Gold Solo Male: Dennis Baer (Milwaukee North)