Courtney Partello

KINGSFORD — Courtney Partello, a student at Julie’s Top Hat Dance Studio in Kingsford, is a finalists to compete for the National Dancer of the Year title at the Celebration Dance Competition on Friday, July 12, in Wisconsin Dells.

The top five finalists will be announced Monday, July 15, those who qualify will compete again that same day.

Heading to nationals is nothing new for Partello, as she has competed at nationals many times, both at Wisconsin Dells and Panama City, Fla., said Julie Maes, owner of Julie’s Top Hat Dance Studio.

She also qualified as a Dancer of the Year finalists with the Rainbow Dance Competition, but the two competition dates overlapped, forcing her to choose one over the other.

She is the daughter of Burt and Carrie Partello of Iron Mountain and has a sister, Lexi.

Partello will be a senior at Iron Mountain High School.