Area dancers excel at show JACKSON - Students from the Jackson Dance Center attended the Starbound National Talent Competition held at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, July 9-13. Dancers between the ages of 7 and 18 competed in categories of tap, jazz and lyrical and won the top titles of overall petite group champion for their routine Cotton Eyed Joe and High Golds and top places in categories for other routines including Too Darn Hot and Wild Horses. All of the routines Jackson Dance Center competed with received awards of gold and higher, according to a press release. Selected routines also won accolades for technique and choreography. The highlight of the weeklong event was being invited to perform at the Strang Breast Cancer Benefit and Starbound Showcase on July 13 at Boardwalk Hall. Jessica Opdyke, 13, will be gracing the covers nationally for Starbound as winner of the senior overall photogenic event for 2008. Angela Pawlak, director of Jackson Dance Center, attributes the success of her students to her staff, dedicated students, supportive parents and to the philosophy of her studio. The Jackson Dance Center philosophy is to nurture the child and develop their self-esteem first. Jackson Dance Center brought more than 60 dancers to competition. Pawlak said, "We really care about our students and want to offer all of them the best opportunities to display their talent, competition and performing is all part of it." The Jackson Dance Center staff includes Aimee Biedermann and Vickie Wilson of Brick Township, Jean DiSil-vestri of Matawan, Kimberly Landle and Denise Turner of Jackson, and Pawlak. Jackson Dance Center is at 1144 E. Veterans Highway. It will be entering its fifth season this fall and is holding summer workshops and classes for students of all ages.