By CLAUDIA LORENZANA
Universe Staff Writer
Two local youth will represent the United States Monday at the World Junior II Latin DanceSport Championships held in the Ukraine.
According to a press release, 15-year-old Veronica Yeager and Tony Pututau are the only native-born American couple to represent the United States in this prestigious ballroom dancing competition.
Yeager said she and Pututau choreographed the dance numbers, which were later touched up by their dance coach, Rick Robinson, a former National Latin Ballroom Champion and part-owner of the Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem.
Some of the dances that will be performed by the couple are the samba, rumba, cha-cha, paso doble and jive. Yeager said her favorite number is the samba because it is upbeat and resembles a party dance.
“I like using my hips a lot,” Yeager said.
Pututau said he is excited to travel to Kiev and feels it is a big honor to represent America.
“I just hope that we make the cut because there are so many good dancers in Europe,” Pututau said.
Yeager was paired up with Pututau more than two ago when she didn’t have a partner to dance with in class. Since then, they have become friends and gotten used to each others dancing styles.
Robinson said he has worked with the dancers these 2 years and has encouraged them to focus on togetherness, endurance and enjoying each dance.
“I have no idea how they will finish,” Robinson said. “But I know they will represent the United States well.”
