Hundreds welcome Caitlynn Lawson home

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake dancer Caitlynn Lawson was welcomed home by about 500 supporters at the Moses Lake High School gym Saturday.

This summer Lawson, 18, gained national attention by advancing to the top 6 tier of dancers on FOX TV's "So You Think You Can Dance?" show.

As she danced on the show each week, her supporters at home wore red "Team Caitlynn" T-shirts, waved encouraging signs at busy Moses Lake intersections, watched her on TV and voted for the teen online.

She was voted off the show Aug. 4.

On Saturday, Lawson was smiling and happy to see her friends at home during an autograph signing event.

"I can't say thank you enough to every single one of you," she said. "You all mean so much to me. All I really wanted was to make you proud."

It meant a lot to her knowing friends at home were watching her on TV.

She thanked her parents and dance instructors for their support.

"I couldn't be any more grateful or happy with the experience," she commented.

Lawson wanted to show others they could succeed, despite coming from a smaller area, and not being at other dancers' skill levels.

Her mother, Vickie Lawson, thanked community members for their support. Caitlynn's family saw the support on the Internet, with signs and notes.

"It means a lot to us coming from a community like this," Vickie Lawson said.

She told her daughter "you are a kind and genuine person and you haven't changed one single bit."

Caitlynn's father, Billy Lawson, acknowledged her dance instructors at Today's Generation Dance Studio and The Ballet Academy in Moses Lake for bringing her to this point.

"She did an awesome job," Billy Lawson said.

Her younger brother, Caleb Lawson, said "I'm proud of you sissy. Thank you for voting for my sister."

Caitlynn also received her diploma from high school Principal Josh Meek. She missed graduation because of the show.

He acknowledged she had a perfectly valid excuse to be absent: she was living her dream.

Moses Lake Mayor Jon Lane read a city proclamation honoring the teen for being among the top 6 dancers on the national show and the top 3 female dancers.

"My wife and I watched that show for a number of years," Lane said. "This year, we really watched the show."

Lacey Stowers, Caitlynn's dance instructor at The Ballet Academy, said she was extremely proud and honored to be part of the girl's life.

"You're accomplishing everything I couldn't," Stowers said.

Stowers told Vickie Caitlynn was a strong woman and she didn't know how she did it.

Caitlynn was up at the crack of dawn practicing and she was a role model for little girls, Stowers said.

Janet Bergeson, of Today's Generation, recalled how it took Caitlynn a while to remember things and get her eight counts down, but she never gave up.

With Caitlynn's success, Lori Baker, of Today's Generation, said she's talked about dance to many people, from 8-year-old boys, to 80-year-old farmers.

Everyone she spoke with thought Caitlynn should have won and believes the show was rigged, she said.

Peggy Earl, of Today's Generation, said initially Caitlynn wasn't a bad or good dancer, but had a supportive mother.

"I can't tell you how important it is to have a supportive family," Earl said. "She was spoiled in the best way."

Caitlynn's family were generous with the time they gave their daughter.

When Caitlynn started at Today's Generation, her classmates were a year ahead of her and she was "treading water" to keep up, Earl said. But she caught up.

"You can't make up for drive, passion and work ethic," Earl said.

Some dancers fizzled and burned out early.

Caitlynn was a team player and a good example of being successful without stepping on anyone's toes, Earl said.

At the end of the program, Caitlynn signed autographs for a long line of kids and their parents.

Melissa Chlarson, of Moses Lake, was standing in line with her daughter Peyton Chlarson, 6.

Peyton dances with Today's Generation and the Chlarsons watched the show together.

Peyton would even remind her mom to vote for Caitlynn every week.

Peyton turned 6 on Saturday and wanted to have her photo taken with Caitlynn for her birthday.

"She completely fell in love with Caitlynn dancing," Melissa Chlarson said.