Ashley David and Hannah Engelke stretched, spun and leapt with 15 other dancers Thursday afternoon, inside Old Mill High School's dance studio.

Together the 17-year-old seniors represent an effort by county and state school systems to recognize dance. Engelke was selected to the All-State Dance team while David received honorable mention.

"I was really excited because I thought I really messed up the audition," said Engelke who was recently accepted to Point Park University's Dance program. "I kind of forgot what we were supposed to be doing in the middle of the routine."

The other 15 dancers...