senior spotlight

We are pleased to feature Gavin McElhinny, son of Michelle McElhinny, in our senior spotlight. With 14 years of experience playing baseball, Gavin is currently affiliated with Charlotte Baseball Academy and has committed to North Carolina Wesleyan University, where he will pursue a major in Sports Management. During his 2.5-year tenure with Fusion, 

Gavin has volunteered and acquired valuable experiences. His mother, Michelle, has been associated with Fusion for 7.5 years. Michelle expressed gratitude for the organization's impact on Gavin's development, citing the invaluable learning experiences that have shaped him into a responsible individual. Through Fusion, they have formed lasting connections and friendships that have contributed to Gavin's growth. We commend Gavin for the values he has gained and wish him success in his future endeavors!

Reese Smith is the daughter of Summer and Daniel Smith who have been volunteering with FCC since 2022. Reese has been dancing since she was four and spent her last two years at Tenth Talent in Monroe. This fall she will be heading to New York City where she was accepted into Broadway Dance Center’s  professional program to continue her training.  She’s excited to see where this adventure takes her! 

Reese is forever grateful for the connections and opportunities that she has received over the years while volunteering. She truly believes she wouldn’t be where she is now as a dancer without FCC. 

Meet Elizabeth Weeks. She volunteers with her mom Amy and is a senior at Dance Productions-The Remix. Elizabeth is attending UNC Charlotte College of Engineering in the fall - we wish her all the best! 

Madison (Maddie) has danced at DT Nation Dance & Tumble (formerly Dance Trap) since she was three years old.  She is celebrating her 15th year of dance, and 10th season on the competition team.  Over the years, she has been a team captain, an ambassador, a title winner, a choreographer, and a teacher/teacher assistant.  She has a true talent and passion for dance that is evident the moment you watch her.  She attends extra competitions, intensives, and additional training at Encompass Dance Project.

She is also a dedicated student, on the President's List or Dean's List every semester while attending Cabarrus Early College of Technology.  In May, she will earn her high school diploma and an Associate's Degree of Arts.  Maddie also works a warehouse job 4 mornings each week, is a teacher assistant for 7 classes at DT Nation in the evenings, and volunteers as much as she can for FCC.

Maddie is living out her dreams as she is a part of CY5 at CLI Conservatory in Southampton, MA.  Thousands audition each year for this pre-professional training program, and only a couple hundred are selected to participate in the 10-month program.  She will train in multiple genres of dance, audition, participate in photo shoots and concept videos, as well as learning the ins and outs of the commercial dance industry.  At the end of the program, the opportunities exist for her to be signed by agencies, companies such as Disney, or other commercial jobs.  I know she will do amazing things!

I want to say what a blessing Gwynn and FCC has been to my family and to Maddie.  Everyone has been so awesome to work with and get to know and you've all embraced Maddie in person, through my stories of her, or in the good luck wishes.  I just ask that you continue to think of her and pray that her journey is as special as she is.  We love you guys and appreciate everything!  -Scott, Christie, and Madison Tucker