Six student dancers at Winters Mill high school danced their way into history on Jan. 8 when they performed at the Maryland Dance Showcase at Goucher College in Baltimore.

It was the first time in the Showcase's 21 years that a Carroll County school was invited.

"We just couldn't be more excited," said Melanie Burrier, director of dance at Winters Mill. "Forty-two schools submitted from all across the state and only 13 were invited to perform. "We feel pretty cool."

WMHS seniors Danielle Bowers, Amanda Pope and Natalie Zink; junior Francesca DiPaula and sophomores Haley Joy and Krista Mohlhenrich almost didn't make the showcase's workshops and evening performance, as a light snowfall the morning of the event caused school delays, and some closings, throughout the area.

"We were a little panicked we would not make it down there," said Bowers, 17. "We had been rehearsing it for three months and (Burrier) told us even if we didn't get to go, we would still perform it."

First created as a tribute to a fellow dancer, Alex Kowalczyk, who died in a 2008 car accident, the dance — called "Inspired" — was choreographed by Bowers. The lyrical piece evolved as the group tweaked it to meet the criteria outlined for the showcase.

"This piece is about faith and hope," Burrier said. "It is a piece near and dear to our hearts."

Winters Mill has offered dance classes in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and lyrical for the last nine years. To the surprise of the six performers, they were one of the smaller groups at the showcase.

"Everybody else had a huge group," Bowers said. "We were small."

"Schools had male dancers," said Pope said. "It kind of impressed all of us."

Burrier said she hopes the experience can be a stepping stone for Carroll dance.

"Carroll County dance is relatively new," Burrier said. "We're building and excited to be able to be honored. (The students) got a bigger perspective of what's happening in public school dance across the state."

As the event was not a competition, the group also enjoyed the camaraderie.

"It was not competitive at all," Pope said. "I felt everyone was friendly, talkative and nice. It was a good experience."

"It was so professionally done and well attended," Burrier said of the performance. "It was a positive experience for everyone."

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