Veridy Treu, 13, won first place at a competition last month, advancing to the finals in April in New York City. She is a student at the Pittsburgh Ballet House in Cranberry Township.

CRANBERRY TWP — A dancer earned first place among 200 competitors and will go on next month to the national finals.

Veridy Treu, 13, took the top spot in her division at the Youth America Grand Prix last month at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh.

Since age 3, Veridy has been a student of Kwang-suk Choi, owner and instructor at the Pittsburgh Ballet House on Rowan Road.

“Veridy is a very hard worker,” Choi said of his student’s win, “and she just looks like a ballerina.”

Veridy danced two ballet variations from “La Esmerelda” and “Paquita,” and a contemporary dance choreographed by Choi entitled “Kiss the Rain.”

She said the top 12 ballet dancers were called to the stage at the end of the competition, all of whom were eligible for the top three spots. Veridy was pleased when the officials accidentally announced that she had won second place.

The officials soon corrected their mistake and announced to the audience and to a stunned Veridy that she had actually taken first place.

“I was shaking because I didn’t realize this could happen to me,” Veridy said.

She credited Choi and her faith for her win, saying her instructor produces prize-winning students because he focuses on both technique and expression.

“(Ballet) helps me connect with God and think about Bible verses like ‘I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me,’” Veridy said.

At the final competition in April in New York City, Veridy will dance “Paquita” again.

The trip will be her first time competing at the finals level, but her teacher has faith that the Seneca Valley Middle School eighth-grader could take the top spot at the national competition as well.

“Kwang seems to think I have a chance,” she said.

In June, Veridy will dance the role of Cinderella’s stepsister in the Pittsburgh Ballet House’s production of “Cinderella.”