Nena Smith dancers
THE 2020 Senior Class of Nena Smith’s School of Dance (NSSD) in Wesson is working hard to prepare this year’s year-end presentation, “Thank You For Being A Friend.” This year will mark the 45th anniversary of the dance studio.This group of 13 seniors has been active in dance and the arts, participating in many dance workshops, performances, and dance concerts throughout the years. Most of the group has been together since pre-school. Pictured (front row, from left) are Assistant NSSD Teacher Hannah McKee; Teacher In Training Shelby Barnett; (second row) 2019 Jason Counts Memorial Scholarship Recipient Amya Williams; Class Captain Kadazia Brown; Starstruck Dance Company I Competition Team Dancer Laney Jones; 2018 Brandy Sanders Memorial Scholarship Recipient, Starstruck Dance Company I Competition Team, and NSSD Teacher In Training Isabella Little; (third row) Jordan Slonaker; Olivia Clark; 2017 “Shine” Scholarship Recipient Julianna Crosby; Candace Johnson; (back row) Ryleigh Sheppard; Charity Irving; and Fellowship of Christian Dancers Fruit of The Spirit Team Class Captain Erin Buckley. On Mondays and Wednesdays at NSSD, The Fellowship of Christian Dancers high school dancers gather to participate in a mentoring and devotional time and Christian interpretive movement class. The Monday night group, The Salt and Light Team, is led by Nena Smith and Class Captain Emily Covington, daughter of Patty and Jeff Covington, of Wesson. The Salt and Light Class is based on Matthew 5:13·16. For the upcoming presentation Salt and Light will perform to “Fighting For Me” by Riley Clemmons. The Wednesday night group is led by Nena Smith and Class Captain Erin Buckley, daughter of Janice and Ben Buckley, of Crystal Springs. The Fruit and Spirit Class is based on Galatians 5:22·23. Fruit of the Spirit will perform “Jesus Friend Of Sinners” by Casting Crowns.
MEMBERS OF NENA SMITH SCHOOL OF DANCE Fellowship of Christian Dancers Salt And Light Team are (front row; from left) 8th and 9th Tri·County Class Captain Taylor Papizan; Lexie Freeman; Kayla Oberschmidt; Starstruck Dance Company/Competition Dancer Kelly Grace Raiford; Mary Beth Coats; Starstruck Dance Company/Competition Dancers Reagan Newman and Amber Westbrook and Ramsey Brown; (second row) Callie Brooke Barlow; 2019 Crystal Gooch Memorial Scholarship Recipient Jessie Cole; Abrianna Tarazona; 2019 “Shine” Scholarship Recipient Lainey Grace Brewer; Haley McCullough; Hannah Meredith; Olivia Rushing; Madeline Smith; NSSD Teacher Kaylen Boyte; and Starstruck Dance Company I Competition Team Member; Assistant NSSD Teacher; 2018 “Shine” Scholarship Recipient Kayla Barfield; (back row) Mary Beth Coates; Studio Owner and Teacher Nena Smith; Starstruck Dance Company I Competition Team Dancer and Salt and Light Captain Emily Covington; Natalie Dickens; Teacher Ashlyn Banes; Lead Teacher Marsha Mullins Raiford; and Anna Rai Cline.
MEMBERS OF NENA SMITH SCHOOL OF DANCE Fruit of The Spirit Team are (front row, from left) Teacher Ashlyn Banes, Assistant Teacher Hannah McKee, 2018 Brandy Sanders Memorial Scholarship Recipient, Starstruck Dance Company/Competition Team and NSSD Teacher In Training Isabella Little, Ryleigh Sheppard, Lead NSSD Teacher Marsha Raiford, (second row) 2019 Jason Counts Memorial Scholarship Recipient Amya Williams, Senior Class Captain KaDazia Brown, Olivia Clark, NSSD Teacher in Training Shelby Barnett, Starstruck Dance Company /Competition Team Member Laney Jones, (back row) Candace Johnson, 2017 “Shine” Scholarship Recipient Julianna Crosby, Studio Owner and Teacher Nena Smith, Fruit of the Spirit Class Captain Erin Buckley, Charity Irving, Teacher Taylor Beasley Burke, and Jordan Slonaker.
