Daughter of Tinker employee attempts TV dance record Published Sept. 13, 2006 By Kelley Chambers 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- What does one do after earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records? For the daughter of one Tinker employee the answer is to try to break that record on national television. Alicia Clifton danced her way into the record book last December by completing 36 consecutive pirouettes, a maneuver that involves spinning on the ball of the foot. She will appear on the "Live with Regis and Kelly" show Sept. 15 in New York City to attempt to break her own world record just a few days shy of her 15th birthday. "I'm pretty excited, and actually a little nervous," said Alicia, who has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Her father, Ron Clifton, is a B-2 production management specialist who has worked at Tinker for 19 years. In preparation for her television appearance, Alicia said she has been practicing her move every day on a smooth wooden board at home. Mr. Clifton said the Guinness Book of World Records entered the picture when he heard that someone claimed to hold a record with 16 consecutive pirouettes. He said he was not impressed with that number. "Alicia could do that on a bad day," he said. When the family contacted the Guinness World Record Organization, Mr. Clifton said he found out that there was no record for pirouettes. This inspired Alicia to attempt the feat under the strict Guinness guidelines. Three cameras and witnesses were set up at the Applause studio Dec. 9, 2005, where Alicia completed the 36 consecutive pirouettes and won a place as the world record holder. Mr. Clifton said Alicia, who he described as very bashful, will attempt to break her own record on the live television show. Last week, at home in her personal dance room, Mr. Clifton said Alicia broke her own record by completing 38 consecutive pirouette turns. Unfortunately, there was no official documentation of the event. Mr. Clifton remains confident that Alicia will break the record on television. "We're hoping she can break it on Regis and Kelly," he said. "I tell her, 'I know you can do 40, you've done 38, you can do 40.'" Alicia has competed in dance events around the world. Locally, she has won Miss South Oklahoma City, Miss Nicoma Park and Miss Oklahoma Junior National Teenager. The real highlight of Alicia's dance career was in December 2003 when she competed and won the first American Dance Idol competition in Orlando, Fla., which included a $10,000 prize. Alicia said her goal is to one day be Miss Oklahoma and then go on to become Miss America. Looking toward college and a career, Alicia said she would like to go to school in California to become a movie director. Alicia had just one humble request for her supporters. "I hope that people watch me," she said.