Pros & Grads!

You can say I  was almost destined to dance… My dance exposure began as a baby, when I  was carried to all the dance competitions that my two sisters Heather and Kristyn were involved in.

     I loved watching and cheering them on! I would even dance in the aisle as a toddler.  One fateful dance competition, the MC saw me dancing and asked me to come on stage and do a little dance for the audience. The rest, as they say, is history!

     I began my formal dance training at the age of 6 with just hip hop classes. Later at age 9 I began training at Center Stage Dance Academy in Tega Cay SC in all genres of dance.

     I have  won many awards in my years of training and performing: Through Dance Masters of America’s local Chapter 44- Southern Council, I have been awarded Jr, Teen and Mr Dance, with a recent 2019 2nd Runner up to Mr Dance of America- Dance Masters.

      I am the son of Ken and JoAnn Blackwood (3c’s current president).  Without the dedication of my Mom and Dad and the scholarships from 3C, competitive dance and the training it takes would be a near impossibility.

  I am so passionate about dance and I strive to show it in every performance and competition.  

My dream has been to dance in the entertainment industry, wherever that may lead; then return to share my passion and love for dance in a teaching capacity.

I am proud to say that I am currently dancing with the Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC!

I am so thankful for my parents and the 3C organization for all they have done to help me see my dreams come true.

I am passionate about Cheerleading. I have loved cheer since I was five and began from Pop Warner league and have since moved to an all-star competitive gym.

During my 10+ years of cheer, I have been able to compete on various teams at Level Legends placing 4th for East Coast, 11th in the nation at US Finals and placing 1st at  9Panel Nationals on Senior Level 3 teams. This season I have trained and qualified with placement on a Senior Level 4.2 team where we look forward to competing from Dallas, TX, Gatlinburg, TN to Myrtle Beach, SC with a year end goal of being CHAMPIONS at Summit in Orlando, Florida.

My future plans are to attend college and study to be a Neonatal Nurse or Ultrasound Tech and my goal is to continuing cheering during college and to eventually also coach a team as as adult. 

I am thankful that my Mom has this opportunity to volunteer with 3C to support my dream and sport as I would not be able to cheer without the scholarship support. 

It's official - Ainsley will be attending Montclair State University next year! 🎉

It was definitely a process to get here! She applied to 23 schools, academically and artistically. All in she was offered a total of over $830,000 worth of scholarships! It was very hard for her to choose amongst these wonderful options, especially once it was narrowed down to Shenandoah, Point Park and Montclair. But in the end she decided that Montclair would give her what she really wants: a conservatory-style program on a traditional college campus with NYC accessibility at an affordable price. 

We are so very proud of her and can't wait to see all that she will achieve!! ❤️

We will forever be grateful for 3C. Through 3C, my dancer was able to shine both on and off the stage. If it were not for 3C and the volunteer opportunities it afforded, Madi would not have been able to participate in as much dance as she wanted. Through 3C, she was able to participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade twice! If it wasn't for this organization, this dream would not have been possible. 3C will always have a special place in my heart because it allowed us to provide an opportunity to our daughter that many only dream about. We will miss the people and experiences of 3C but are excited about what it holds in the future for other competitive athletes