Rising Star - February 2006 - Alicia Clifton

Born / Resides: Oklahoma City, OK
Dance Studio: Applause, located in Moore, OK
Date of birth: September 17, 1991
School: Moore Central Jr. High

Alicia began her dance career at the age of three, and began dancing competitively by the age of five. It wasn't long before her teacher noticed that Alicia had a special talent when it came to tap dancing.

In 1999, we began to research information regarding the International Dance Organization, and eventually decided it would be fun to venture off to Europe to participate in the World Tap Competition being held in Riesa, Germany. After competing in the children's category against tap dancers from all over the world, Alicia brought home the Bronze Medal for the USA at the tender age of nine. The wonderful experience of international travel and the opportunity to meet individuals from so many different nations was enjoyable enough to send Alicia back the following two years where she won two Silver Medals for the USA with her solos, and a Gold Medal as a member of the USA Tap Team.

Probably her most crowning achievement while performing a tap dance came in December of 2003 when Alicia became the first "American Dance Idol" and brought home $10,000 in prize money after becoming the top winner, competing against hundreds of dancers from all across the United States. This particular award prompted Oklahoma Senator Jim Reynolds and Congressman Kevin Calvey to present Alicia a Citation for being, "Truly a credit to the Great State of Oklahoma".

As time passed, Alicia began developing her talents in other disciplines of dance including jazz, lyrical, ballet, pointe, and hip-hop. With the help of talented instructors, endless hours of hard work and practice, and a burning desire to always "make the next dance better than the one before", Alicia developed into a true all-around dancer that can simply, as judges have stated, "do it all". In the summer of 2005, Alicia competed in the North American Jazz Dance Championships, and among her many other awards, achieved the Gold Medal for the USA in the jazz category. She has also been the recipient of NADC's Triple Crown award for two consecutive years, and was named the North American Dance Champion for both 2004 and 2005. Her love of dance has afforded her the opportunity to travel across the USA and establish lasting relationships with other dancers from New York to Florida to Nevada, as well as across continents.

Alicia has always possessed an uncanny sense of balance and a turning center that one instructor referred to as being "a gift". Last year, we contacted the Guinness World Record Organization and on December 9, 2005, Alicia completed a record setting thirty-six consecutive pirouettes while wearing tap shoes. Videos and documentation have been sent to England and at this time, we eagerly anticipate receiving the word from Guinness that officially names Alicia the "Guinness World Record Holder".

On those rare occasions when Alicia is not involved in dance, she is busy fulfilling her pageant duties since being crowned Miss Oklahoma Junior National Teenager. Whenever her schedule allows, she visits the pediatric cancer ward of a local hospital to talk with children and lend them hope and encouragement. Last year she organized a car wash to raise funds for the Hurricane Katrina victims, participated in the walk-for-aids program, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, The Children's Miracle Network, and the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon. Of course she never misses an opportunity to promote the art of dance to all those young people that she meets, and encourages them to always be the best that they can be, no matter what goals they may be pursuing. Without a doubt, Alicia exemplifies the best of American teenagers, and takes a tremendous amount of pride in being an inspiration and a role model for other young adults.

Most recently, Alicia has been nominated to the "Who's Who" of middle schools, due to her academic achievements and community involvement. She consistently places on the Principal's and Superintendent's honor rolls, maintains a "straight A" average, is a member of the National Honor Society, and has been the recipient of the George Bush Presidential Academic Award. Although dance is Alicia's first love, academics continue to remain her first priority.

Some of Alicia's other titles, awards, and special performances

• Little Miss Asia
• Miss South Oklahoma City
• Miss Nicoma Park
• Distinguished Performer
• Miss Showbiz
• ADA's Dancer of the Year
• Jump Winner VIP
• Performed in Break The Floor off-Broadway dance show, the Oklahoma City Mayor's Christmas Party, and the annual Oklahoma Governor's Mansion event

Additional Info

Alicia has also done modeling for J.C. Penney's, the Armed Forces Army and Air Force Exchange, Hill's Department Store, and Dillard's. She has performed in TV and/or radio commercials for Mercy Hospital, Ford, Glamour Shots, St. Anthony's Hospital, Moto Foto, 7-11, and the Oklahoma City Museum.