Ohio Star Ball 2013

2013 Ohio Star Ball, held at the Hyatt Regency in Comumbus.

This year we flew in on a Monday. My suitcase was falling apart as I packed for the airport, so I hastily repaired it with Duct Tape and stickers that I found at Hollywood Dancesport. In this picture, you can also spot my soulvenier sticker that I picked up at the Twin Cities Dancesport Competition in June. 

 

While in the Airport, we made a final screen capture of the DSS leaderboard before we departed for Ohio. It has been and incredible year!

Sophia made the Top 10 on the World Pro/Am Dancesport Series Leaderboard, finishing out a spectacular year in 9th position.

Sophia and Juidth Simon, Juidth is the nation's Top Ranking DSS student for 2013.

Upon check in we walked by the newly renovated Big Bar at the Hyatt Regency Comumbus, where many dancers congregate after their competitive sessions.

On Tuesday we danced out Rhythm Day. Sophia placed 3rd in the World Dancesport Series Bronze Rhythm Final in the B Division. After dancing, we had a fun time hanging out with with Jeremy Gaitlin and Agnes.

On Wednesday, Sophia placed 5th in bronze smooth.

Taking a moment in front of the photo screen, with the OSB logo.

On Wednesday evening, we danced in the Best of the Best Challenge.

Sophia danced a Vienese Waltz and received 3rd place the the bronze line up.

Lauren Lapointe and Louis Bar danced a vintage Peobody routine. Lauren wore a vintage Great Gatsby style flapper dress and Louis dressed in costume as Charlie Chaplain.

On Thursday we spectated for the Dancesport Series Team match.

This year, many changes were made to the team match. In past years there were more teams, one to represent each of the 7 regions.

During the year, dancers participate in the DSS rounds to earn points to qualify for a DSS team. Sophia danced in 16 Dancesport Series Compeitions this year, in an effort to earn points for Region 2, the blue team. Last year, we were lucky enough to make the team. Despite earning even more points than her 2012 season, this year Sophia fell short of making the team.

Triangle Pennants hang in the Regency Ballroom, each representing the victorious team for each year of the DSS team match. The Washington Area, where we dance, is represented by Team Blue. I have been told that Team Blue has been a perennial loser and has never won a DSS team match, that is why there is no blue pennant hanging in the ballroom.

This year, team blue was eliminated completely, and the regions were combined into only 4 teams. The changes mean that less dancers can participate in the team match, making the competition to qualify much more difficult.

The team match was an exciting moment  during this years Ohio Star Ball and it was great fun to spectate. 

  

Sophia and I went down early to spectate and cheer for friends. Lauren Lapointe and Louis Bar, whom we frequently dance with, qualified for the Green Team for the Midwest

Edna  And Sinisa made team match this year, to represent the Orange East Coast Team.

On Friday, we met up with Peggy McClean and Andrew for dinner at Marsala's, an Italian resturant on High Street in Columbus.

After Dinner , we returned to Batille Hall to spectate for the Open Professional Rhythm Championships, to cheer for Amanda and Illya Resin.

Sophia had the opportunity to greet Sam Sadano in the hallway outside of Batille Hall. Was her happiest moment of the week.

He presented her with a best of the best challenge commemorative program

It was an honor to be part of the best of the best dancesport challenge 2013 grand finale

On Saturday, Sophia got an emergency phone call from home. Sophia flew home early on Saturday a morning.

In the evening I went to spectate the Open Professional Smooth with Marcy Garson, Lauren Lapointe, Louis bar, and Britney.

Sitting ringside with Marcy Garson was lots of fun.

I got to watch the top three students in the world Pro-Am dancesport series receive their top student awards. Lauren LaPoine was called up for third place, followed by Charlene Proctor for second place, followed by Judith Simon for first place.

Louis Bar received a top teacher award in the overall combined Top Teacher line up, and this was my first year winning A rising star placement.

Louis made the line up with David Alvarez.

Shortly after the awards ceremony, there was an announcement that was an error was made. Janice Stanton was called up to receive the third-place  award. It was an awkward moment, and  Lauren handled it very graciously. 

We All stayed  through the very end to watch the final awards.