With its endless beaches, Hollywood movie lots, and picture perfect weather nearly year-round, Southern California is a well known place to live and travel.
Hey, if you haven't heard, it even has Disneyland (you know, "the happiest place on Earth").
What people have yet to discover is that it is also home of this year's Arthur Murray Area 7 All Star Team.
Arthur Murray teachers and executives across Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and yes, Southern California competed in the semi-final round of the Arthur Murray All Star competition - a skills challenge to determine which professionals were best at delivering the best Arthur Murray experience.
After all the scores were tabulated, here is the team who will be representing Area 7 at the All Star finals in Las Vegas.
Jessica, by far, had one of the best reactions to winning the Area All Stars.
AML: How would you say you reacted to the announcement that you made it to the finals?
JH: "I was shocked! I'm pretty sure I screamed and had a dazed but happy expression on my face. It felt pretty surreal."
AML: What does the All Star competition mean to you as a professional?
JH: "All Stars is about coming into the situation as an individual, but leaving as a team. We all trained and studied hard to get through each round of the testing as individuals, but in the end, it all comes down to working together and depending on the rest of the team to succeed."
Fun Fact: Although she claims she's not much of a singer, Jessica once went with her high school choir to New York City and performed at Carnegie Hall.
While some people shy away from any sort of testing, Melanie was ready to take the testing simulations head on.
AML: How did you feel going into the Semi Final Round of testing?
MB: "I was excited because I felt well prepared in my training and couldn't wait to use all of it in the testing simulations."
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
MB: "It helped me to build confidence in my self and made me a better teacher because of it. I learned fabulous skills on how to connect and communicate better with my students."
Fun Fact: Melanie once visited Bob Marley's house on his birthday.
[Read the FULL INTERVIEW with Melanie Bridge]
Having been to the finals twice before, Christina values teamwork more than ever.
AML: What's your All Star backstory?
CC: "I've been on a team that did well, and a team that wasn't as successful. I've learned that it's not just about who you are as a professional, but what you can accomplish together."
When then announcement was made for who was continuing on to the next level, Christina had more than one reaction.
AML: How did you react when they announced you into the finals?
CC: "Four out of the six positions came from my own studio. Every time each of my staff won, my excitement kept building and building. There was lots of screaming, to say the least. When they finally announced my own name, I couldn't help but feel like I was wearing a badge of honor. I was so proud to be standing up there with all of my Orange ladies."
Fun Fact: Christina once held the title of Miss Covina 2009 and competed at the Miss California Pageant.
[Read the FULL INTERVIEW with Christina Campbell]
Being with Arthur Murray for 13 years, Christopher is no stranger to the All Star testing, but this year, it was a whole new experience.
AML: What's your All Star Backstory?
CS: "I used to be notoriously bad in testing simulations. I've only made it to the district level because of letting my mind get the best of me time and time again. This year, I allowed myself to get lost in the experience and be completely with my "student".
He credits this change to all of the training from his franchisees, but also from the support of his fellow teammates in the studio.
AML: Who were some people that helped you along the way?
CS: "My friends constantly reminded me that I'm at this level for a reason. Just be me."
Fun Fact: Even though Christopher is deathly afraid of spiders, he loves roller coasters and haunted houses.
[Read the FULL INTERVIEW with Christopher Stotridge]
Edwin reminded us that we don't just strive to give great service to our students, but to each other as well. He shared a little bit about the pep talk he received before the testing.
AML: Who are some people that helped you get to this point?
EC: "My franchisees, Robert and Christy Melgoza. It's always great to have a special people who believe in you when you have doubts in yourself."
Representing Area 7 in the Finals for the second time in a row, Edwin shared what it would mean if the team wins this year.
AML: What would it mean if you win it all?
EC: "Everything. It will be the culmination of all the hard work, but also another reflection in my mirror of life that we are doing what is right to change people's lives."
Fun Fact: Edwin has visited almost every single Disney Park and will go to the last one this November.
[Read the FULL INTERVIEW with Edwin Cabrera]
Katheryn, only on staff for 3 months, is already busy making waves. After experiencing the All Star testing for the first time she sees the training as a huge asset to her daily routine.
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
KB: I feel like I'm able to utilize this information and training in similar situations that happen in the studio."
AML: Why is the All Star Competition special to you?
KB: "I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to learn and grow so much just within the few months I have been with Arthur Murray."
Fun Fact: Katheryn once met Tom Brady and the rest of the entire New England Patriots football team.
[Read the FULL INTERVIEW with Katheryn Baca]
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