'Worlds' at Boston

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to post a follow up blog about the girls and our ‘Worlds’ experience.  Our trip up to Boston was such a whirlwind.  We were up there for a total of four day.  It was in our usual fashion: fun, crazy, busy everyday!

Sunday morning began early.  We got up and started getting ready.  That includes hair, makeup, dressing, stretching and warming up.  Our first competition started at nine o’clock.  The girls were both dancing at the same time in different venue halls.  Michael and I would be very busy running back and forth.

We all saw the girls dance both of their first two rounds.  That included their hard, heavy shoe and then their soft, light shoe.  Erin even got to see big sister dance her light round.  Erin had finished before Shannon.

At the end of the first day, Shannon got 66^th.  She is ranked 66^th in the world in her age category.  Erin got 16^th.  She is ranked 16^th in the world in her age category.  She is a World Medal holder; she was the second highest American dancer.  It was a fabulous day for our family.

Monday brought another day of dancing.  Our day started about the same as the previous day.  Erin had a team competition.  She was dancing on an Under 11 mixed ceili team.  There are eight dancers on this team, four girls and four boys.  Their competition began in the morning and her team did well.  They got the recall.  That means they dance another round.  Awards went off very late at night and her team got 23^rd.   It was a great accomplishment for the dancers on this team.

Believe it or not, Tuesday was another dance day.  For the third day in a row, it began the same way.  Up early, hair, makeup, stretch and warm up.  Today, the girls dance on an Under 13 mixed ceili team.  The girls are on the same team.  This is the National winning team and also the Oireachtas winning team.  There are three sets of siblings on this team and it is a great source of fun and team spirit for the girls.  This team danced well.  They got the recall and danced again.  At awards, the team was ranked 3^rd.  It was such a wonderful outcome.  We were all so overjoyed.  It was a great way for our family to end the ‘Worlds’. 

We headed home to New Jersey with four medals for the girls.  It was truly successful.  What a terrific experience for our family. 

At this time, we will take a little break from dance, relax a little and enjoy the Springtime.  Normally at this time, we would be already revving up for our National competition in July.  However, our school will not be going to Nationals this year.  Our teachers are judging this event and therefore, we will not be dancing.  Our traveling will be put on hold. We are already looking forward to ‘Worlds’ next year.  They are taking place in London!

I hope you enjoy reading about the girls and all of their accomplishments and all of our travel experiences.  It is a pleasure to share it all with you.

Fondly, Sharon