WT Dance Applauds Top Students at Year-End Banquet

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - Exceptional students from the West Texas A&M University Dance program were hailed at a year-end event.

The May 6 Buff Dance Banquet and Awards Ceremony celebrated the department's two major performances, "Falling into Dance" in November and "Portraits of Dance" in April ahead of WT's May commencement ceremonies on May 15 and 16.

"WT Dance has had a stellar year preparing and performing these concerts," said Crystal Bertrand, senior instructor and director of the dance program in the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance in WT's Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. "These dancers also thrived beyond the stage-learning with our distinguished guest artists, performing with collaborative productions, conducting community outreach, and participating in dance conferences."

Bertrand and fellow faculty members Edward Truitt, professor of dance, and Sandra Stegelman Miller, instructor of dance, selected Jayden Lucas, a senior dance major from Amarillo, as the winner of the 3D Award, given to a dancer who exemplifies discipline, determination and desire.

Faculty members also selected Davel Hernandez, a freshman from Camaguëy, Cuba, as winner of the Treston Johnson Dance Award, given to a dancer who best exemplifies the heart and soul of the dance program. The award is named for a dance student who died in 2018.

Five other awards, with winners selected by fellow dance majors, were presented, as well:

• Spirit Award: Anna Martin, a senior from Midland, for encouragement and support of other dancers, given in memory of the late Eddie Gomez;
• Buff Dance Award: Kinsey Johnson, a sophomore dance major from Amarillo, for passion, dedication and the year's most impressive performances;
• Diamond Award: Eden Holmes, a freshman dance major from Amarillo, for modeling proper classroom and rehearsal etiquette;
• Discovery Award: Erin Potter, a sophomore dance major from Amarillo, Taeveon Lewis, a freshman dance major from Lubbock, and Alexa Montenez, a freshman dance major from Amarillo, for making significant and unexpected contributions to the program; and
• Emerald Award: Johnson for embodying the highest aspects of artistry and skill in class, in rehearsal and on stage.

The dance program's 2026-2027 season will include "Falling into Dance" from Nov. 12 to 15 and "Portraits of Dance" from April 30 to May 2. Dancers also will participate in The Arts at WT and with WT Theatre in its April 14 to 18 production of "Hello Dolly."

Fostering an appreciation for the arts and engaging and retaining the best students are key components of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which raised more than $200 million dollars, the largest such campaign in Texas Panhandle history.

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: WT Dance celebrated the end of the academic year with a May 6 awards banquet. Awardees included, from left, Davel Hernandez, Eden Holmes, Kinsey Johnson, Alexa Montenez, Anna Martin, Jayden Lucas, Erin Potter and Taeveon Lewis.

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