Scholarship Recognizes Dancer's Dedication

Hillsborough resident Alison Calamoneri was recently awarded the Karen Hartsing Mermorial Scholarship at the Kathleen Academy of Dance during their annual review.

This is an annual scholarship given in memory of Karen Hartsing, a former dancer at the Academy, who passed away in 1977. It is a full ballet scholarship given to a deserving and dedicated student.

A 15-year-old, Alison has been dancing at for the past thirteen years, studying ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and pointe.  She has participated in master tap classes through the American Tap Dance Foundation in New York City.

She will also be attending the New Jersey Tap Festival during the month of August. She is a member of “Kids On Tap”, a Youth Tap Ensemble, under the direction of Kathleen Cirioli, director of the Kathleen Academy of Dance.

Alison will be entering her sophomore year at Hillsborough High School where she is a member of the newly formed dance team. Alison has completed both her Bronze and Silver awards in Girl Scouts, and is currently working on her Gold Award.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, making jewelry and spending time with her friends and family.