Allison Rose of Fort Mill has been chosen as a semi-finalist alternate for the fifth season of "Gimme the Mike! Charlotte," WSOC-TV Channel 9's returning hit summer show featuring local singers competing to be the winner.

Beginning in June, four semi-finalists will compete weekly on one of six half-hour shows at 8 p.m. on Channel 9. The finale will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Aug. 6.

The finalists and the Clearwire Wildcard winner will vie for a prize package including a 42-inch HD television, gift cards from Food Lion and Concord Mills and a five-song demo CD. For details, visit www.swoctv.com and click on "what's hot."

Clover woman wins education service honor

Barbara Parrish of Clover received the service to education award at the alumni awards ceremony April 19 in Gaffney. Parrish graduated magna cum laude from Limestone College in 1959 with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education.

Parrish has earned her master's in educational administration and spent 42 years in education as a teacher and administrator in York and Clover schools. She is coordinator of the Title I and EIA compensatory remedial programs.

Parrish recieved the Richard W. Riley award for contributions to mathematics education in 2000, the WinthropUniversity College of Education award for excellence for educational leadership in 2000 and the South Carolina distinguished library service award for administrators in 2001.

Fort Mill woman crowned Mrs. South Carolina

Patti Mercer of Fort Mill was crowned Mrs. South Carolina International 2008. Mercer, a mother of four, will represent South Carolina in July at the Mrs. United States International Pageant in Chicago.

Mercer previously held the title of Mrs. United States 2006 and Mrs. York County 2005. Mercer's mission is to promote autism awareness and the importance of early intervention.

Mercer is a graduate of Winthrop University and Fort Mill High School. She serves as an ambassador for the South Carolina Autism Society and Autism Speaks and is a guest speaker for Easter Seals.

Mercer is an account representative and an on-air personality for WRHI 94.3 and Interstate 107.1.

York dance students bring home awards

Fascinating Rhythm Dance Studio of York competed in the Encore Dance Competition for the Stars April 19 and 20 in Greenville. They won 10 platinum awards, 11 first-place awards and three second-place awards.

First-place awards are:

Senior company, first overall senior small group. Dancers are Anna Allred, Christy Brakefield, Chelsea Clinton, Shelby Cribb, Casey Pate, Morgan Tolson and Dora Tomberlin.

The dancers won top senior production award with a first-place platinum. Dancers are Anna Allred, Chaslyne Axley, PJ Axley, Savannah Axley, Elizabeth Baird, Victoria Brady, Christy Brakefield, Micheal Carr, Chelsea Clinton, Alyssa Comalander, Sara Ann Comer, Drew Crawford, Josie Cribb, Lexie Cribb, Shelby Cribb, Madeline Curry, Mallori Faris, Bekah Ginn, Elizabeth Hammond, Mary Catherine Hammond, Carleigh Jackson, Ladd Jackson, Rush Johnston, Hannah Moore, Billy Morris, Sara Morris, Alyssa Myers, Evan Myers, Hallie Norman, Casey Pate, Emma Patterson, Sarah Beth Patterson, Kalah Simpson, Kaitlyn Spires, Katherine Spires, Kirsten Templeton, Morgan Tolson, Dora Tomberlin, Halle West, Hannah White, Caroline Whitesides, Kinleigh Wilkerson, Angela Williams and Aubrey Wood.

Solo awards were, Alyssa Myers, top junior photogenic; Dora Tomberlin, top senior photogenic; Mallori Faris, first place; Madeline Curry, first place platinum; Christy Brakefield, first place platinum; Chelsea Clinton, first place platinum; Morgan Tolson, first place platinum; Alyssa Comalander, first place platinum and first overall top senior soloist; Dora Tomberlin, first place platinum.

Duet and trio awards were Kaitlyn Spires and Halle West, first place; Madeline Curry and Caroline Whitesides, first place; Anna Allred and Chelsea Clinton, first place platinum and top senior duet/trio.

Dances were choreographed by Lindsay Bryant, Rachel Miller and Alisha P. Curry.

For a complete list of dance winners, visit heraldonline.com.