DESTREHAN — The competition dance team from Kelli’s Kreative Dance returned from the Starbound National Talent Competition’s National Finals as two-time National Showcase Grand Champions, along with receiving numerous overall placements and first place wins.

The competition was held in San Antonio, Texas, with the top routines invited back to compete in the final Showcase for the title of Grand Champion.

Kelli’s had six routines invited to compete in the Showcase, the most they could qualify for due to a limit of two routines per studio allowed in each division.

“Persist,” a contemporary group choreographed by Josie Seringé, was named National Grand Champion Senior Group.

And shortly after, “Bell Hoppin’” — a hip-hop production choreographed by Karleen Bouza — was named National Grand Champion Production.

Other routines selected to compete in Showcase were “Uptown Funk,” a tap group choreographed by Lynn Kaska, which placed second in the Senior Showcase and won the senior Audience Choice Award; “Jealous of the Angels,” a lyrical routine choreographed by Kelli Manville, which placed second in the Junior Showcase; “Welcome to the Circus,” a production choreographed by Kelli Manville and Desiree Acosta, which placed third in the Production Showcase; and “Cleaning Up the Town,” a tap group choreographed by Micque Voges, which placed sixth in the Junior Showcase and won the junior Audience Choice Award.

Kelli’s Kreative Dance was also the recipient of Starbound’s Studio Spirit Award.

All of the Kelli’s Kreative Dance group routines that competed over the week earned “Elite Gold,” the highest possible adjudication based on composite score.

Senior Catherine Boudreaux was named a college scholarship finalist.

In what many described as the most touching moment of the week, soloist Remney Manville received a standing ovation for his tap solo, the Audience Choice award, and was invited by Starbound to perform as a special guest soloist in the Showcase. 

The competition team is made up of students from Kelli’s Kreative Dance studio locations in Destrehan, Kenner and Mandeville.

Team members are Abby Hebbler, Abigail Punch, Adeline Comboy, Alana Whitman, Amber Latino, Anna Fuselier, Ashlyn Rogers, Aubry Picou, Audrey Cody, Avery Oertling, Bailey Henrickle, Brianne Robichaux, Brinley Manville, Brooke Trembley, Camille Couret, Camille Ybarzabal, Carly Clause, Caroline Goris, Caroline Muller, Caroline Ramsey, Carsyn Ford, Catherine Boudreaux, Cecelia Cody, Chloe Nunenmacher, Chloe Tujague, Claire Johnston, Eden Martin, Elaine Boudreaux, Ella Baudouin, Emma Hensley, EmmaLynn Brescher, Evelyn Zajac, Grace Taylor, Hailey Barrios, Hailey Tramonte, Hailie Victory, Hannah Burst, Jaidyn Parrish, Jessica Starring, Jocelyn Seipel, Kadence Rogers, Kai Martin, Kailie Carrigee, Kaitlin Mizell, Kamryn Clause, Karissa Dennis, Karley Voges, Karsyn Clause, Kate Trembley, Katie Dew, Kaylee Parfait, Kelsey Doyle, Lainey Bushnell, Lexi Clause, Lexi Ford, Lexi Gaubert, Lily Drouin, Lyla Keller, Macy Oertling, Madison Pearce, Madison Victory, Mallory DeGruy, McKenna Ural, Megan Cripple, Melina Werster, Mia Rodriguez, Miladi Benedict, Natalie Ford, Olivia Adams, Olivia Whittaker, Olivia Wurster, Peyton Dykes, Rebecca Rodrigue, Reese Estrade, Remney Manville, Rhylie Fayard, Scarlett Fuselier, Shayla Woodward, Shelby Betbeze, Skylar Henry, Sophia Krebs, Sophia Picou, Sophie Bourgeois, Stella Creel, Stella Occhipinti, Taylor Mason, Vali Rupert and Zoe Naquin.