After winning the "Dancer of the Year" title this past summer, Lexi Tonniges was awarded a trip to Australia to represent the United States in a World Championship.

During her visit to the "Land Down Under" this Cavett Elementary School 5th grader competed against some of the best young dancers on the planet. And, as usual, Lexi struck gold!

In the past 30 years of running her own dance studio, Cheryl Priess Dickey has seen few dancers like Lexi, "She's everything that a teacher wants is all rolled up in that little person. She is just a dream to teach, never have to ask her twice, never."

It's very uncommon, but Lexi even makes the older dancers want to be more like her. Emily Pike says, "Just because she's younger than me doesn't mean that she can't be an inspiration."

Lexi responds, "It's really nice because I look up to them and it's just a great feeling."

As one might imagine, Lexi's parents are some of her biggest fans. Her mother Joy says, "I think she's pretty fantastic, not just as her mom but as a dance teacher as well. Not very many kids have that kind of a drive at such a young age and maturity."

Her dad Chad says, "Every time she strikes a lyrical pose in a lyrical number my eyes fill up with tears of joy and it just makes me feel very complete."

In the future, Lexi would like to earn her way on to the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance," and she'd like to be just like her mother and become a dance teacher.