2024 Award Winners
Congratulations to all our winners!
- Newcomer
- 1st: Katheryn K
- 2nd: Alyssa M
- 3rd: Jamie S
- Best Footwork
- 1st: Rylie G
- 2nd: Jamie D
- 3rd: Marilyn P
- Best Performance
- 1st: Corey S
- 2nd: Lynn M
- 3rd: Megan D
- Best Spirit
- 1st: Arthur P
- 2nd: Tim G
- 3rd: Nicole S
- Best Arm Styling
- 1st: Samantha P
- 2nd: Bailee R
- 3rd: Stephen C
- Endurance Amateur Female
- 1st: Samantha P
- 2nd: Tonya R
- 3rd: Lynn M
- Endurance Amateur Male
- 1st: Henry S
- 2nd: Todd K
- 3rd: Benjamin L
- Best Chemistry
- 1st: Tim G & Tonya R
- 2nd: Samantha P & Eleanor R
- 3rd: Brett D & Lisa L
- Endurance Professional Female
- 1st: Mary P
- 2nd: Gabrielle G
- 3rd: Masie D
- Endurance Professional Male
- 1st: Stan C
- 2nd: Derek P
- 3rd: Tim G
- People's Choice Best Female
- 1st: Samantha P
- 2nd: Jocelyn W
- 3rd: Tonya R
- People's Choice Best Male
- 1st: Joey R
- 2nd: Todd K
- 3rd: Corey S
- People's Choice Formation Team
- 1st: Youth Performance Team
- 2nd: AFT #2
- 3rd: AFT #1
- People's Choice Am/Am Solo Performance
- 1st: Megan & Jared
- 2nd: Destiny & Kelly
- 3rd: Joe & Rachel
- People's Choice Pro/Am Solo Performance
- 1st: Joe & Johannah
- 2nd: Dan & Johannah
- 3rd: Stan & Lola AND Dean & Mary
- People's Choice Top Female Professional
- 1st: Gabrielle A
- 2nd: Sarah P
- 3rd: Mary P
- People's Choice Top Male Professional
- 1st: Nick B
- 2nd: Tim G
- 3rd: Stan C
Hotel Options
This is a courtesy list of hotels within 10-15 minutes of Stilwell Junior High. We do not have any rooms blocked off, nor do we have personal experience with any of those listed. Please make your own arrangements if you need a place to stay. There are also a variety of Airbnb's in the area if you prefer that arrangement.
2024 judges
Meghan Afonkin
Meghan has been around the ballroom industry since the day she was born. Her parents, Scott and Amy Anderson, owned 3 dance studios and competed as professionals as she was growing up. Meghan trained at a competitive level in jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballet at the Dance Shoppe (now Summit Dance Shoppe) in Plymouth, MN. After finishing college with a degree in Public Relations, Meghan decided to go back into the ballroom industry as a teacher.
Meghan has been teaching for over 10 years and has been recognized nationally as a top female teacher. She met her husband – Igor Afonkin in 2016 on a professional dance tryout. Meghan and Igor competed in the American Smooth division and moved up the ranks quickly. In 2019 Meghan and Igor won a national title at the U.S. Championships.
After dealing with many health issues that forced Meghan to take a break from dancing, she was able to see clearly what dance does for her life and her SOUL. Dance is not only her therapy, but it has made her healthier and stronger both physically and mentally. She is dedicated to helping transform the lives of the SOUL Ballrooms community by sharing her knowledge, expertise, and guidance.
Igor Afonkin
Igor Afonkin started his ballroom dance training in Voronezh, Russia where he received his bachelor’s degree in dance education. Igor brought his skills and expertise to the United States in 2007. Igor was hired as a dance teacher at a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Chicago.
Igor was trained in the ballroom dance business under the Fred Astaire model. Igor quickly became a newcomer specialist. Igor went on to successfully run his independent dance business in Chicago for seven years. During that time, he became a top teacher in the United States and moved up the rankings as a professional competitor.
He moved to MN in 2016 where he began dancing with his wife Meghan Afonkin. They quickly won numerous titles around the country and won a national championship in 2019. Igor became the top teacher in MN at numerous events and produce many amateur champions under his training.
Anne Bates
Anne’s dancing journey began in 2006 at the Des Moines Ballroom. For two years she studied, took lessons, performed in showcases, and competed as part of a pro/am couple at the national level. In 2008, she made the transition to professional ballroom dance instructor, teaching group classes and private lessons to people of all ages and abilities. Anne developed and currently directs the youth dance program in Des Moines, and has trained couples for social dancing, wedding dances, performances, and competitions. Anne is also known for her choreography skills. She directs formation performance teams for adults, collegiate, and youth dancers. She is currently the coach for the Iowa State University Cardinal Ballroom Team. “I wanted to help create a high level but fun competition that encourages all dancers, be they youth, Am/Am, collegiate, or Pro/Am, to compete and thrive in a fair, economic, and diverse format.”