MOSES LAKE - At age 12, Moses Lake's Sara Myers knows what it's like to work in the spotlight with some big Hollywood names.

The Frontier Middle School seventh-grader started performing on stage at age 5.

It's when she participated in the National American Miss and Princess Washington programs, said her dad, Scott Myers, of Moses Lake.

Six years ago, she started dancing with Dance FX-Rockin B Cloggers in Moses Lake.

She's danced ever since and lately, started pursuing an acting and singing career.

Through the John Robert Powers School System, Sara competed at the International Presentation of Performers (iPOP) in Hollywood, Calif., this year.

iPOP is a convention held twice annually in California. The event brings performers and models together to perform in front of industry choreographers and show producers, according to iPOP's website.

Sara walked away with a first-place international dancing award, competing against dancers from around the world, including some from Japan, London, France, Puerto Rico and Canada.

She received the award from Stanislav Ianevski, the actor who played Viktor Krum in the film "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

Sara was selected to dance during a Justin Bieber performance and was instructed by Toni Gonzales.

Gonzales is known for putting together Kidz Bop CDs and his work on Nike commercials, Scott said. He also works with performers on shows like "Glee."

"Anything with dance on TV, he's the guy behind the scenes doing the choreography," Scott explained.

Scott described Gonzales as "tough and skilled at what he does."

He picked Sara out of a crowd to take part in a number for the iPOP awards banquet. The dance routine was put together in two days.

As a nearly lifelong performer, Sara said she wasn't nervous.

At her family reunions, there was always dancing and music.

At iPOP, Sara "picked up dancing just like that," her dad said.

They found everyone was trying to do their best at the event and didn't hear parents yelling or kids crying. The experience made them glad they took part, Scott said.

Their involvement with the John Roberts Powers School System started after hearing a radio ad. They answered the ad and Sara completed an interview.

Initial questions centered around if applicants had tattoos, piercings and good grades. The answers helped reduce the number of hopefuls.

Sara made the cut and was sought by the school system for the career track because of her talents and many years of experience.

"We made a lot of trips to Seattle and Wenatchee and they did a professional photo shoot with her in Seattle," Scott said.

Famous alumni from the John Roberts Powers School System include Niki Taylor, Faith Ford, Grace Kelly, Diana Ross, Henry Fonda, Ava Gardner and Cary Grant. The school has locations throughout the country.

Scott talked about how proud he is of Sara for juggling all of her activities so well.

She takes piano lessons, maintains her grades, dances eight hours per week, plays a trumpet in the band, plays volleyball and participates in school plays.

"We try to teach her to manage her time and pick and choose wisely," he said.

After iPop, Sara competed at the Southwest Clogging Championships in Scottsdale, Ariz. She placed second for her individual amateur traditional and master traditional dances.

Sara's team, The Rockin B Cloggers Stompers Team, won first place for their team dance. Her instructors are Toby and Rosalie Black.

Her mom, Jeannette Myers, said her daughter loves dance. She takes clogging, Irish dance and hip hop classes.

"It's her life," Jeannette commented. "We love to watch her perform because when she performs, she is doing what she loves and it shows in her performance."

They thanked the following people and businesses that helped Sara financially with travel, hotel and entry fees during iPop and clogging competitions.

They are El Rodeo, Quiznos, The Furnace Store, Bob's Cafe, Shari's, Classy and Crazy Cakes, D&D Electric, William C. Breneman, Howard Wagner at Alsted Real Estate, Hair, Franz Farms, Tami's Therapeutic Massage, Anytime Tan, Loren's Barber Shop, Merkley's Mobile Maintenance, Scotty's Auto Repair and many friends.