Teams

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🏆 High Point Grand Champions 🏆

The Overall Grand Champion title is the highest honor awarded at AmeriCup—reserved for the top-scoring routine in each Grand Champion Division. All genres are eligible, and only the most exceptional performances will rise to the top.

What’s at Stake:

• 🥇 Grand Champion Medals for dancers

• 🏆 A towering 5-foot trophy for the program

• 🎉 An official Grand Champion banner to display with pride

Divisions Competing for Grand Champion Honors:

• Preschool, Tiny, Mini & Youth

• Elementary, Middle School, Jr. High, & High School

• Junior, Senior, Open & Collegiate

No matter the style, the best routine earns the title. Bring your A-game, because at AmeriCup, every step counts toward being crowned Grand Champion.

Division Champions

All Division Champions receive a team banner, individual medals, and a Champion ring (limited to one per person, regardless of the number of divisions won).

• 2nd Place: Medals

• 3rd Place: Medals

• 4th Place and Beyond: Contender lapel pins

Dance Worlds Bids

DanceXtreme USA is a proud member of the United States All Star Federation (USASF) and will be awarding bids to the prestigious 2026 USASF Dance Worlds Championship, held at Walt Disney World in Florida.

This season, the following bids are up for grabs:

• 4 Partial Paid Bids

• 8 At-Large Bids

Don’t miss your chance to earn your spot on the world stage!

Achievement Plaques

At the conclusion of each competition, every program will be presented with a beautifully crafted Achievement Plaque to commemorate their accomplishments.

Each routine's result will be represented by a colored stone embedded in the plaque, reflecting the level of award earned—creating a lasting, visual tribute to your team's success.

Specialty Awards

Academic Excellence

At DanceXtreme USA (DX), we believe that academic achievement is just as important as performance excellence. Strong academics lay the foundation for lifelong success, and DX is proud to recognize teams that demonstrate a commitment to both education and dance.

Studios are encouraged to submit the Academic Excellence Form to be considered for this recognition.

A banner will be awarded to each qualifying studio whose team has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

To qualify: Submit the Academic Excellence Form

• All individuals must be graded using a point-based system or an equivalent standardized grading scale.

Celebrate your team's hard work—both in the classroom and on the stage!

Andrew Lawrence Spirit & Sportsmanship Award
The highest honor a team can receive at a DX event.

Since its founding in 1987, DanceXtreme USA (DX) has celebrated not only technical excellence but also the values that build strong communities: spirit, kindness, and respect. The Andrew Lawrence Spirit & Sportsmanship Award represents the pinnacle of those values and is considered the most prestigious honor awarded at any DX event.

Selection Criteria:

This award recognizes a studio that consistently demonstrates:

• Respect for fellow dancers both on and off the stage

• Positive spirit and enthusiasm

• Gratitude toward adjudicators and staff

• A supportive and uplifting team environment

• Exemplary sportsmanship

• Actions that inspire admiration from other dancers and attendees

Good sportsmanship is contagious. DX encourages fans, directors, teachers, and dancers alike to lead by example and show respect to everyone they encounter during the event.

About the Award:

One studio will be selected and honored with this award at each DX event. The recipient is determined through a studio vote, and the award will be presented during the semi-formal Awards Program on Saturday evening.

This distinguished honor is named in memory of Andrew Lawrence, a cherished DX staff member who tragically passed away at the age of 11 after being struck by a car while riding his bike. His joyful spirit and kind heart left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire the DX family today.

John Kubinski Best-of-the-Best Award

Highest Scoring Routine of the Day

This prestigious award honors the memory of John Kubinski, the father of DX President Lisa Saline. John passed away in March of 2012, but his legacy lives on through this meaningful recognition.

Lisa admired her father deeply. He instilled in her the values of hard work, integrity, and always striving to be her best. His unwavering belief in doing things with excellence helped shape the foundation of DanceXtreme USA.

To honor his influence, DX proudly presents the John Kubinski Best-of-the-Best Award each day of competition to the highest scoring routine of the day—a performance that exemplifies the excellence, drive, and heart John so strongly valued.

Ruth Kubinski Choreography Award

"The Original Lady Gaga"

The Ruth Kubinski Choreography Award honors the life and legacy of Ruth Kubinski, the beloved mother of DX President Lisa Saline. Ruth passed away in July of 2021, but her unforgettable presence and style continue to inspire.

Known as “The Original Lady Gaga,” Ruth was a classy, vibrant woman who effortlessly lit up every room she entered. She embodied creativity, confidence, and flair—qualities that define this special award.

To celebrate her spirit, the Choreography Award is presented in her memory to routines that embody artistic excellence, originality, and captivating presence—the very essence of Ruth.

🏆 Judges will select the winning routines, with awards presented during the competition.

Judge’s Choice

At each championship, DX judges have the opportunity to select routines that stood out to them on a personal level. These selections are not based on scores alone, but on performances that were memorable, impactful, or uniquely inspiring.

Judge’s Choice winners are recognized live on stage and awarded a Judge’s Choice banner in honor of their exceptional impression on the panel.

Individuals

All American Talent & Scholastics Program

All Participants:

• Receive an All American Medal for participation.

Special Note:

If there is only one entry in an age category, only the Overall Champion will be announced.
No scholarships will be awarded in that instance.

Major Awards & Scholarships

🥇 OVERALL HIGH POINT RECIPIENT

• Awarded: Trophy, Rebel Suitcase, and Scholarship

• Top 3 Finalists Announced

Scholarship Breakdown:

• 7+ entries: $250 scholarship

• 2–6 entries: $150 scholarship

🌟 TALENT CHAMPION (Solo Performance)

• Awarded: Trophy, Rebel Duffel*, and Convention Scholarship

Scholarship Breakdown:

• 7+ entries: $100 convention scholarship

• 2–6 entries: $50 convention scholarship

💬 INTERVIEW CHAMPION

• Awarded: Trophy, Rebel Duffel*, and Scholarship

• Top 3 Finalists Announced

Scholarship Breakdown:

• 7+ entries: $100 scholarship

• 2–6 entries: $50 scholarship

✍️ PAPERWORK CHAMPION

(Resume, Essay & Recommendation Letter)

• Awarded: Trophy, Rebel Duffel*, and Scholarship

• Top 3 Finalists Announced

Scholarship Breakdown:

• 7+ entries: $100 scholarship

• 2–6 entries: $50 scholarship

🎓 SCHOLASTIC CHAMPION (Transcript Evaluation)

• Awarded: Trophy and Scholarship

• Champion(s) Announced

Scholarship Breakdown:

• 7+ entries: $50 scholarship

• 2–6 entries: $25 scholarship

*Limit: One Rebel Duffel per person, regardless of the number of categories won.

Performer of the Year

🎖 All Candidates
Each participant will receive a Performer of the Year medal.

A winner will be named in each age group. Champions will receive:

• A trophy

• A Rebel Duffel*

• A scholarship to the 3D Dance Convention (Fall 2026)

Convention Scholarship Amounts:

• 7+ entries: $100 convention scholarship

• 2–6 entries: $50 convention scholarship

Note: If there is only one entry in an age category, only the Overall Champion will be announced. No scholarships will be awarded in this case.

*Limit: One Rebel Duffel per person, regardless of the number of titles won.

Senior Solo Dance-Off

The Top 10 Senior Soloists (ages 15–18) will be announced during the Saturday evening Awards Program and will advance to compete in a second performance on Sunday.

🌟 This elite group represents the highest-scoring soloists in the Senior division.

🏆 All Dance-Off finalists will receive a trophy and be recognized on stage for this outstanding achievement.

Don’t miss this exciting showcase of talent, passion, and excellence!

Duo/Trio Challenge – DTC

The DX Duo/Trio Challenge (DTC) celebrates teamwork, precision, and performance.

🎖 All participants will receive participation medals in recognition of their efforts.

🏆 Top 3 placements in each division will be awarded individual trophies.

🌟 Division Winners of the Duo/Trio Challenge will receive:

• A $50 scholarship

• Individual trophies

Awards will be presented in all age categories, honoring excellence across every level of competition.