Penk O'Donnell Dancers: Always on their toes
 SECOND TIME North American Champion Gabrielle Corrigan with teacher, Deirdre Penk O'Donnell. |
VANCOUVER - Congratulations to 24 dancers from the Penk O'Donnell School of Irish Dance who recently competed at the North American Open Championships in Nashville, Tennessee.
The championships are one of the highlights of the year for Irish dancers who are lucky enough to qualify to compete at this prestigious event.
This year, approximately 3,500 dancers took part in the five days of competition, and dancers from as far away as Australia, Ireland, England, and Scotland put on their dancing shoes and headed to Nashville.
The Penk O'Donnell team had a lot to celebrate with bringing home 16 team medals and 16 solo medals.
For the second year in a row, 14-year-old Gabrielle Corrigan took the top spot on the podium as the North American Champion, beating out 130 dancers from around the world. Gabrielle placed sixth this year at the World Championships in Ireland.
Four other dancers from the school also stood on the podium. First-time winner Lara Brewster placed third in the ladies under 20 competition. Right beside her was classmate Christina Perry in fourth place. This was Christina's third time on the North American podium.
Candice Corrigan also stood on the podium for the third time, placing third in the girls under 18. Second-time winner Eilidh Morrice-Ashdown placed third in the girls under 15 age group.
"I have to say that my dancers have always given me so many reasons to be proud," said Deirdre Penk O'Donnell. "The competition was not without disappointment, but the week we spent in Nashville has to hold some of the proudest moments I have experienced as a teacher."
The Penk O'Donnell team also celebrated their junior ceili team placing sixth and their senior team placing seventh.
 PENK O'DONNELL Dancers show off their sashes from the 2009 North American Championships held in July. (L-R) Christina Perry, Eilidh Morrice Ashdown, Lara Brewster, Candice Corrigan, Gabrielle Corrigan. |
The other Penk O'Donnell medal winners were Stefanie Warren (11th senior ladies and seventh senior ceili); Jesula McCallum (13th under eight); Hannah Bryn-Jones (23rd under 15 and sixth junior ceili); Meikaela Tumber (24th under 15 and sixth junior ceili); Megan Findlay (26th under 10); Ciara Melhus (27th under 14 and sixth junior ceili); Brenna McDonnell (27th under 14 and sixth junior ceili); Megan Butzelaar (37th under 13); Erika Cocco (38th under 14); Megan Michaud (46th under 13); Kaleigh Jeffers (49th senior ladies and seventh senior ceili); Hayley McLennan (51st under 15 and sixth junior ceili); Paige Sculthorp (sixth junior ceili); Amy Turton (seventh senior ceili); Mina Kim (seventh senior ceili); Jessie Holbek (seventh senior ceili).
For more information about the Penk O'Donnell school, visit: www.penkodonnell.com, or call (604) 921-0700.
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