Submitted

POPLARVILLE – The String of Pearls dance team at Pearl River Community College returned from national competition in Dallas March 28 and 29 with two team first-place awards and one individual top honor.

The team won the American Dance and Drill Team championship for its pom routine in the large ensemble category and the academic championship in the community college division based on the team grade point average.

Freshman Regan al-Jabi of Carriere won the solo dance competition while freshman Emily Rhodes of Hattiesburg came in second. They competed against 12 other dancers.

The team also placed second in hip hop, the first year to compete in this category, and fourth in jazz routine.

Director is Kara Fleming.

In addition to al-Jabi and Rhodes, team members are Emily Fleming, Brooke Wactor, Bridgett Patterson and Caitlynn Herrin, all of Carriere; Megan Varnado, Annakae Frierson, Reanna Reese, Melissa Dragon, Victoria Farmer, Hanna Falls and Linzy Hudson-Kline, all of Picayune; Gabby Burge, Meghan Witworth and Carley Harrell, all of Poplarville; Taylor Thames and Taylor Turcotte, both of Waveland; Breanna Peters of Brandon, Darion Matthews of Richton and Amber Pineda of Hattiesburg.