Detroit Pistons Automotion Dance Team Awards $25,000 in Scholarships

“We were fortunate to raise a lot money through last year’s calendar sales, and we wanted to give it back to the community,” said Rebecca Girard, Automotion director. “We chose to give scholarships to performing arts students because it was a natural fit with our purpose, and we know first-hand how expensive dancing can be.”

A total of eleven scholarships were awarded in honor of Automotion’s 11th year of performing. Ten students earned a $2,000 scholarship and one student won a $5,000 scholarship as the grand prize winner. The goal of the competition was to help dancers gain insight into the audition process and as well as help dancers attend college.

At 1:00 p.m., dancers, grades 9-12, began what would be a five-hour audition process.

Sixty hopefuls warmed up with the Automotion as they started their first round of the competition in which students were taught an eight-count jazz/hip-hop dance. Of the 60 applicants, 41 were selected to advance to the second round where another, quicker-paced, eight-count dance was introduced. From this group only 19 advanced to the final round where hopefuls performed a one-minute original piece and delivered a speech about why they should receive a scholarship.

“If I actually win the scholarship I think it would open a lot of doors for me to do so much as a professional dancer,” said Licia Camp, 16, who moments later, would find out that she had won the $5,000 grand prize.

“This opportunity means a lot for the students. It gives them an opportunity and the chance to work on their talents and craft so they can achieve the goal of getting a scholarship,” said Rick Mahorn, Detroit Shock Assistant Coach and former Pistons legend. “They’re trying to pursue their dream and just trying to be the best dancers they can be.”

Mahorn and Pistons in-arena hostess, Erin Nicole, served as guest judges on a panel along side Automotion veterans Erin and Tina.

Arts Academy in the Woods is a performing arts school dedicated to instilling in students a fine academic curriculum while developing their artistic abilities.