Shannon Adamson and Megan Kelly-Wright have returned from the Irish Dance World Championships in Philadelphia where they reached the second round stage.
Competing against over 300 dancers from across the globe, Shannon Adamson, age 13 and Megan Kelly-Wright, age 12 danced two rounds coming very close to places in the final 50.
Says Mary Wright their dance tutor “Both girls danced to the best of their ability and I was extremely proud of both of them. The standard of dancing was incredibly high and the venue and atmosphere was fabulous, who knows where they could end up next year, if they continue with the hard work and dedication.”
When asked what she thought of the experience Shannon said “Going to the World Championships was my life long ambition and means so much to have gone, it means so much to know everyone who helped me achieve my goal, from my teacher to my family and everyone who helped fundraise for us and I will forever be thankful.
Megan added "I had a fantastic time in Philadelphia, thank you everyone who helped, it was such a great experience, getting up on stage with the American flag behind me was a great feeling, the whole experience has made me more determined to qualify again for next year."
The community in South Leeds threw their support behind the girls before they went to America by raising over £2,500 to pay for their trip at a special night of entertainment hosted by The Hunslet Club and attended by over 200 people.
Says Jason Slack, Fundraiser at The Hunslet Club "These two girls have done incredibly well for themselves at such a young age, competing alongside the worlds’ very best and everyone here is chuffed to bits at how well they have done and wish them the very best of luck for the future."
Thank you messages from the girls
Shannon Adamson
Thank you to everyone who helped fundraise for me and Megan to get to the World Irish Dance Championships in America. Going was my life long ambition and it means so much to have gone.
I would like to say some quick thank you’s to my dance school, Cassidy School of Dance, The Hunslet Club, The Black Swan Pub in Overton, Kettlethorpe High School, my family and Dave Cooper (CRUFC). My two main thank you’s that mean the most are to my dad Paddy Adamson for giving up his time to help prepare me for the worlds, and finally my dance teacher Mary Wright for all your time and effort spent on me. It means so much to know everyone who helped me achieve my goal and I will forever be thankful. X
Megan Kelly-Wright
I had a fantastic time in Philadelphia. It was such a great experience to compete in the world championships in America, getting up on stage with the American flag behind me was a great feeling.
The whole experience has made me more determined to qualify again next year.
To read the news story in Middleton Today, click here