2013 PMAE Recipient Profile: Rachel

Rachel

As posted on December 8, EBIDS will soon be confirming details of the 2014 Pat McAndless Award of Excellence application process. In the weeks leading up to the March deadline, we will be featuring the 6 2013 PMAE award winners here on the blog. The winners were asked by EBIDS to answer the following 6 questions, in order to share with us a bit more about "who they are and what made them stand out to the 2013 PMAE Selection Committee".

RACHEL S

$500 PMAE winner 

Rachel is a longtime NPIDA dancer, assistant teacher, and Eire Born member. She is an Open Championship dancer. Rachel is 23 years old and graduated with distinction from BCIT this past spring with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is presently working as a nurse. Congratulations Rachel!

1. What does winning the first annual PMAE mean to you?
There are many amazing dancers and people at NPIDA, so I am very honoured to have been chosen as a recipient of the first annual PMAE!! Pat has been an amazing role model and support to me since I first started dancing, so winning his award is very special to me.

2. Can you tell us a bit about your love for Irish Dance and your passion, work ethic, dedication and persistence in working hard?
I have been Irish dancing for about 11 years now and love it just as much as when I began! There is something very special about Irish dance, including the dance form itself, the community it brings together and the sense of success upon reaching goals.

As with many other dancers, I have struggled with busy schedules as I completed schooling to become a nurse, disappointments in not reaching goals, and injuries such as broken bones; however my passion for Irish dance keeps me coming back and working harder. It has taken me a long time to make it to Open Championships, but I finally met this goal in 2013. I think that any of us can reach our goals with hard work, persistence and practice!

3. How did you initially get involved in volunteering and what was one of your first experiences and/or favourite early memories from volunteering?
I was encouraged by my family to do volunteer work from an early age. One of my first memories of volunteering was as a 6 year old, singing Christmas carols to seniors at a care centre with my Girl Guides group. I was really shy and still remember being absolutely terrified!

4. What types of volunteer work did you do in the past few years that you included in your 2013 PMAE application?
I love giving back to the community and have volunteered in various areas. A few of these are below:
* Girl Guides leader- Planning and leading a group of Sparks (girls aged 5-6) in various activities each week
* Volunteer with HUGGS Canada (a charity which supports students in India in their education)- helping with fundraising, events, promotion etc.
* Volunteering weekly with a street ministry/ outreach program to women on the Downtown Eastside
* BCIT peer mentor- providing support for beginning nursing students
* Nurse and counsellor at two summer camps, one for children with medical needs and another for children with diabetes
* Volunteer with my church's youth ministry- leading faith based activities in Sunday school and youth group
* Assistant in an exercise program for elderly residents at a care facility
* Team captain and participant in Eire Born Irish dance shows

5. Can you describe what you have learned and how you have grown from doing volunteer work?
I think doing volunteering work is an amazing way to become connected and have a positive impact on the community. Through volunteer work, I am increasingly grateful for what I have, as well as recognizing my capacity to make a difference in others' lives. I continue to become inspired and grow in compassion, leadership and respect for others through volunteering.

6. What would be your advice to other dancers as they are thinking about applying for the PMAE award in 2014?
I would say to go for it! I am continually amazed at the caring, passion, work ethic and dedication of dancers at NPIDA, and believe you are all deserving of awards! My advice would be to make your application personal and share what makes you special :)

U-7 First Feis Dancers at the DeDanaan Feis

Pre-Beginners Addison and Nadia

Thank you to Cheryl for submitting this photo of Addison N and Nadia B, NPIDA's U-7 Pre-Beginner dancers at the DeDanaan Feis. In the First Feis Reel Trophy Dance, Addison placed 1st and Nadia placed 2nd. Congratulations girls!

Holiday Spirit in North Vancouver

Thank you to Nora for submitting this photo, taken in North Vancouver today "after their festive class!"

Photos: Moving Up at the DeDanaan Feis

New Red Dress Qualifiers
Middle: Hannah B, Leia A and Reese T.
Left: Hannah. Right: Reese

New Red Dress Qualifiers
Left: Ciara W. Right: Delaney S

New Prelim Championship Dancers
Left: Eloise C. Right: Urvee M

Sophie C: welcome to Open Championships!

Further to the December 12 blog post, below, here are Cheryl's photos of the dancers who moved up following their results at this feis. Thank you Cheryl!

Weekend Eire Born Shows

Irish Benevolent Society Show, Friday December 13
Back: Gemma, Cara, Camryn, Laurel and Mackenzie
Front: Jadyn, Cassidy and Pixie

Eire Born at The Raven Pub, Saturday December 14
Back: Anna, Kassidy, Gemma and Cara
Front: Pixie, Katelyn, Jadyn, Megan and Jayne
(Kassidy's first Eire Born show: welcome!)

Jadyn and Megan on the microphone
Jayne on the left, Anna on the right

Many thanks to Sue M-T for submitting these photos taken at 2 different weekend shows. The first photo is from the Irish Benevolent Society show on December 13, and the remaining photos were taken at the Raven Pub last night.

Moving Up at the DeDanaan Feis!

Thank you to Nora for providing this information regarding advancement for these dancers, following their results at the DeDannan Feis:

New Red Dress Qualifiers:
Leia A, Hannah B, Delaney S, Reese T and Ciara W

New Prelim Championship Dancers:
Eloise C and Urvee M

New Open Championship Dancer
As previously confirmed, Sophie C has advanced from Prelim Championships to Open Championships.

Congratulations !

I will try to get photos of these dancers shortly.

Coming Soon: Information Regarding the 2014 PMAE Scholarship Applications

Pat

The first Patrick McAndless Awards for Excellence (PMAE) were announced at the NPIDA Ceili in May 2013. EBIDS is presently finalizing details regarding the application process for the 2014 PMAE's. Information will be distributed to all NPIDA families via e-mail.

Pat is a longtime NPIDA parent and volunteer, former EBIDS Chair, and an active community and corporate leader. His vision includes encouraging and recognizing compassionate young people who are engaged in their community and beyond. This generous scholarship donation demonstrates Pat's outstanding commitment to our community! The PMAE recognizes dancers within NPIDA who demonstrate the highest qualities of passion, work ethic, dedication, persistence, and leadership in pursuit of excellence in academics, volunteer service in their community, and Irish dance.

In May 2013, 6 inaugural PMAE winners were announced as follows:

$500 PMAE winners:

Rachel S, Emma B, Anna M and Mikaela P

Rachel, Emma, Anna and Mikaela

$1000 PMAE winner: Jessie H

$2000 PMAE winner: Hanna S

Jessie and Hanna

EBIDS is going to profile each of these 2013 winners in a series of upcoming blog posts in conjunction with the 2014 PMAE application information. Stay tuned!

2014 IDTANA Scholarships

Every year the North American Irish Dance Teacher's Association (IDTANA) offers a total of $20,000 in scholarships to dancers across North America who not only are accomplished dancers but have also achieved a very high standard of academic excellence and are extensively involved in leadership roles and volunteer service within their school and community.

The 2014 scholarship applications have now been posted on the IDTANA website; the deadline for applications is December 17 2013.

Applications will be reviewed by an IDTANA committee consisting of dance teachers from each region in North America. Applicants must be in Grade 12 this year and entering a full-time 4-year degree program in September 2014, or be currently enrolled in a 4-year degree program and will still be enrolled in 2014-15. The initial screening of applications is solely based on academic standing; the short-listed top candidates then proceed to a second round of more comprehensive assessment.

Click HERE to access the forms and read the detailed application guidelines on the IDTANA website.

NPIDA is proud to have had 2 dancers be prior winners of IDTANA scholarships! Michael Y was a recipient in 2009 and Hanna S was a recipient in 2010. Michael and Hanna were the only Western Canadian IDTANA scholarship recipients in those respective years.

Cheryl's Oireachtas Photos

Jessie, Macaela and Camryn: Top 3 in U-13

Cheryl's Oireachtas photos (both Friday November 8 and Saturday November 9) are now posted on her website. Thanks Cheryl! You can access the albums HERE.(The albums may take a few seconds to load).

More DeDanaan Feis Photos

Jayne, Mikaela, Shannon and Katelyn (front)

Katelyn and Holly with their new looks!

Mikaela (far left), Olivia and Samantha

Samantha at her first Prelim feis

Morgan, Courtney, Mackenzie, Laurel and Mary

Holly and Josie

Catharine, Mikaela, Tomas and Catalina

Maria, Samantha and Cara

Mikaela, Tomas and Catalina

Courtney, Mackenzie and Laurel

Jayne, Katelyn, Megan, Sophie and Raven

Mackenzie and Laurel

Many thanks to Nicole (photos #1-2) and Olivia A (photos #3-12; submitted by Leanne) for these photos taken last weekend at the DeDanaan Feis.

NPIDA Instructor and Staff First Aid Training

Emma, Olivia, Aisling, Mackenzie, Laurel, Catalina,
Carrie (front), Courtney, Mikaela, Paula and Nora

Cory

Mackenzie and Laurel

Mikaela and Catalina

Many thanks to Nora for submitting these photos taken at the St John Ambulance Emergency Community Care First Aid training session, which took place on November 23. 12 NPIDA instructors, assistant instructors and staff attended the 9-hour course. Nora said "It was a very empowering day for all 12 of us! I loved having the chance to train with our fellow teachers!"

Claudia and Catalina's DeDanaan Feis Photos

Congratulations Catalina!
3rd in U-18 Open Championships
1st in 16+ Prelim/Open Treble Reel
4th in 16+ Prelim/Open Slip Jig Trophy

Catalina with Aisling and Courtney

Tomas and Catalina

Olivia, Jessie, Laurel, Mikaela, Catalina and Tomas

Catharine, Catalina and Mikaela
at the Holt Renfrew makeover event

Thank you to Claudia (photos #1-2) and Catalina (photos #3-4) for submitting these photos from the DeDanaan Feis. Catalina also submitted a photo (#5) from the Holt Renfrew makeover event which took place on November 24.

DeDanaan Feis Results: Sunday

Hannah B - red dress qualifer
Addie N: U-7 First Feis Trophy dance wnner

 

Here are the trophy dance results for our Pre-Beginner to Prizewinner dancers today at the DeDanaan Feis. Congratulations to all of the dancers! Thank you to Julie B for submitting this photo.

PRE-BEGINNER REEL TROPHY
U-7
Addison N: 1st!
Nadia B: 2nd

BEGINNER TROPHY
U-7
Reese T: 1st!
Olivia C: 2nd
Alexandra L: 3rd

U-8
Lucy F: 2nd

U-10
Jemma F: 4th

12+
Delaney S: 2nd

NOVICE/PRIZEWINNER TREBLE REEL
U-8
Avery F: 1st!

U-12
Amalie W: 1st!

U-16
Rowan S: 2nd

NOVICE/PRIZEWINNER TREBLE JIG TROPHY
U-7
Kairavee M: 2nd
Avery F: 3rd

U-10
Eloise C: 1st!
Adreanna C: 4th

U-11
Urvee M: 1st!
Lauren G: 3rd

U-14
Alexis B: 4th

U-15
Tansy C: 3rd

VOCAL COMPETITION
U-11
Pixie K: 2nd

DeDanaan Feis Results: Saturday * UPDATED

Leila: A Reel Treble Maker!
4th place in U-10 Prelim

Here are the Prelim and Open Championship results from today at the DeDanaan Feis, which is being held at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Congratulations dancers! Thank you to Nora for submitting this photo.

PRELIM CHAMPIONSHIPS
U-10
Sage L: 1st in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 3rd overall
Leila K: 5th in Hard Shoe, 4th overall
Samantha S: 5th overall
Josie S: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 4th in Set Dance, 6th overall
Cara B: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance
Holly B: 4th in Hard Shoe

U-12
Sydney B: 1st in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 2nd overall
Cassidy C: 5th in Hard Shoe, 6th overall

U-14
Mary M: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 3rd overall
Emma H: 1st in Set Dance, 4th in Soft Shoe, 5th overall
Olivia B: 2nd in Hard Shoe, 6th overall
Catharine A: 1st in Set Dance, 9th overall
Halle N: 4th in Hard Shoe, 11th overall
Tegan P: 4th in Hard Shoe

U-16
Sophie C: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 1st overall! Congratulations and welcome to Open Championships!

18+
Alexey K: 2nd in Set Dance

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
U-10
Katelyn D: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 2nd overall
Kyla F: 1st in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Hard Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance, 2nd overall
Pixie K: 4th in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Hard Shoe, 4th in Set Dance, 4th overall

U-12
Megan S: 1st in Hard Shoe, 3rd overall

U-14
Jayne D: 1st in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance, 3rd overall
Shannon G: 1st in Set Dance, 5th overall
Camryn C: 3rd in Set Dance, 6th overall
Olivia A: 4th in Hard Shoe

U-16
Raven G: 3rd in Hard Shoe
Mikaela P: 4th in Soft Shoe

U-18
Catalina G: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 4th in Hard Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance, 3rd overall

18+
Stephanie M: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Hard Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance, 4th overall

TROPHY DANCES

PRELIM/OPEN TREBLE REEL
U-10
Kyla F: 1st!
Josie S: 3rd
Samantha S: 4th
Cara B: 5th

U-12
Megan S: 2nd

U-14
Jayne D: 1st!

U-16
Gemma K: 2nd

16+
Catalina G: 1st!

PRELIM/OPEN SLIP JIG TROPHY
U-12
Sydney B: 4th
Aishlin H: 5th

U-16
Jayne D: 1st!
Olivia B: 5th
Camryn C: 6th

16+
Catalina G: 4th

PRELIM/OPEN HORNPIPE TROPHY
U-11
Kyla F: 2nd
Cara B: 3rd

Good Luck at the DeDanaan Feis!

 

Last year at the DeDanaan Feis
Camryn, Thea, Laurel, Emma, Mackenzie, Jayne and Catalina

Good luck to the 85 NPIDA dancers who are registered for the DeDanaan Feis, which will take place this weekend at the Richmond Oval. Check back here both nights for results!

Eire Born Edibles: Cookbooks For Sale!

The holiday season is coming and EBIDS has a limited number of beautiful Eire Born Edibles cookbooks remaining for sale! These cherished cookbooks were produced last year and are a wonderful housewarming or hostess gift, the perfect thing for that difficult to buy for friend or something fun for relatives and family. NPIDA families contributed fantastic recipes ranging from simple kid friendly meals to more exotic fare. There are also some contributions by chef Shelley Adams of the Whitewater Cookbook series.

Price is $20; cheques are payable to EBIDS.

Cookbooks can be purchased at the North Vancouver NPIDA studio; arrangements can be made for Richmond families. Please contact Leanne via e-mail: leanneATleannearmstrong.com. Leanne will also be at the DeDanaan Feis this Saturday. Kelly-Erin will also have the cookbooks available at her vendors booth at the feis this weekend.

Eire Born at O'Hare's: November 22

Josie, Cassidy and Morgan

Kyla, Jadyn and Jessie

Josie, Cassidy, Morgan, Jessie, Jadyn and Kyla

Josie in action

Morgan, Jadyn, Kyla, Josie, Jessie, Cassidy and Sue

Many thanks to Connie for submitting these photos taken last Friday night at O'Hare's Pub in Richmond! Thank you to the dancers and the sound team (Pat, Vic and Sue)!