Twenty-five exceptional dance students were awarded a total of $13,000 through the 2011 Beverly Miller Dance Scholarship program sponsored by Costume Gallery.

A record 730 applications were received from dancers ages 12 to 21, who described their passion for dance in written essays. Twenty-four of the winning entries received $500 for dance-related expenses, with Lauren Turbeville from Tilley’s Dance Academy in Statesville, North Carolina, chosen as the program’s $1,000 winner.

“It brings great joy to our family and the employees of Costume Gallery to be able to impact the lives of so many young dancers,” said Ellen Ferreira, daughter of Beverly Miller and company CEO. “My mother would have loved being honored in this way.”

Over the past four years Costume Gallery has awarded $45,000 to worthy students to assist in fulfilling their dance dreams. As owner/operator of Costume Gallery, Miller and her husband, Norman, served the dance community for more than 50 years, and were inspired by the personal and social values students gained by participating in dance programs.

For a full list of 2011 Beverly Miller Scholarship recipients, visit the scholarship page at www.costumegallery.net or the company’s Facebook page.