English student receives $60G

dance scholarshipBy Sarah Mupo / The Daily ItemLYNN – A Lynn English High School senior has received a $60,000 dance scholarship from Dean College in Franklin after impressing officials there at a recent dance convention.Jillian Atkinson, 17, received the scholarship recently after performing a solo dance, turning in an essay and interviewing with Dean College’s tap teacher at the convention in Randolph, which was held by Dance Teachers’ Club of Boston.Atkinson’s mother, Cheri Atkinson, said that her daughter was thrilled by the news.”She texted me and she was so excited,” Cheri Atkinson said.The money will be used during Jillian’s four years at the college, where she will major in dance and minor in business.Jillian Atkinson has been dancing at her mother’s studio, Dance Class, on Essex Street in Salem since she was 2.Cheri Atkinson said she had to stop operating the studio last year, after 24 years in business, when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. However, her daughter still dances at the studio, she said, which is now called Salem Dance Center and is run by Sabrina DelloRusso.Cheri Atkinson said Jillian has performed for numerous crowds, including Haunted Happenings in Salem, nursing homes and parades. In September, Jillian and her dance group from Salem Dance Center traveled to Faneuil Hall in Boston and competed for, but did not win, a chance to perform at one of the Rockettes’ Radio City Christmas Spectacular shows in Boston.Even though Cheri Atkinson made a career out of dance, she said she did not press her daughter to follow the same path. Rather, the 17 year old has displayed a passion for the discipline all on her own, and is versed in a variety of dance styles, such as jazz, tap, ballet and modern.”Everyone on Facebook comments me, ?I remember you said you would never force it down Jillian’s throat.’ And I said, ?No, I didn’t.’ She was always there, always wanted to be there,” Cheri said.After college, Cheri said her daughter wants to pursue a performance career, but she also has a backup plan.”I do believe she’s going to try out for a lot and her fallback is to open a studio,” Cheri said.Sarah Mupo can be reached at [email protected].