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HIGHLAND DANCING COMPETITION 

SPECIAL THANKS TO DANCING EVENT SPONSOR ROBERT LAWSON
IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER, ALEXANDER "SANNY" LAWSON

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Become a sponsor of the Ligonier Highland Games and help us continue the tradition of preserving and promoting Scottish arts and heritage. Your donation will be recognized on our website and in the souvenir program book.  Other benefits can include V.I.P. seating, hotel accommodation and becoming an honorary chieftain.  Click link above to find out more.


SPONSOR A MEDAL/TROPHY SET FOR AN EVENT

THE COSTS OF RUNNING THE HIGHLAND GAMES INCREASE EACH YEAR AND OUR FULLY VOLUNTEER STAFF WORKS HARD TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND GENEROUSLY SUPPORTS THE GAMES TOO.  YOU CAN HELP BY SPONSORING A MEDAL SET FOR AN EVENT FOR $40 OR A TROPHY/PLAQUE SET FOR $80.  SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE A FREE TICKET AND  BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.
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SPONSOR A SCHOLARSHIP FOR A MUSICIAN OR DANCER

SCHOLARSHIP  SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE TWO FREE TICKETS AND  BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.
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SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR DANCING TROPHY SPONSORS:

SARAH-JEAN THOMPSON
NICOLE & PETER CRAWFORD

THANK YOU TO OUR DANCING MEDALS SPONSORS:

CATHLEEN & MICHAEL JANEIRO
AMBER & ROBERT BROWN
ON BEHALF OF THE McWHINNEY FAMILY
RICKEY & SUSAN CHEWNING
JOHN & JOHANNA BIOLA

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DANCING STAFF VOLUNTEERS:

WENDY LINT - Director of Dancing
SARAH JEAN THOMPSON
PAM MANIET
CATHY JANEIRO

MICHAEL JANEIRO
KATY DILLON
MATT TAYLOR
KATHY HORVATH
BRITTANY MANIET
AARON JOSEPH
JANET CAMPBELL
DAVID CAMPBELL
SARAH HOFFMAN
ANDREW HOFFMAN

2022 HIGHLAND DANCING JUDGE: ALLISON PLEMMONS
2022 DANCING PIPER: JOYCE McINTOSH
2022 DANCING PIPER: LIZ CHERRY

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND DANCING

Scottish Highland Dancing is a combination of strength, agility, movement, music, and costume that celebrates the spirit of the Scottish people.  Dancers typically dance to traditional Scottish music such as Strathspeys, Reels, Hornpipes and Jigs, all played by an accompanying bagpiper. The dances are made up of different parts, called steps with usually four or six steps to a dance.
Highland dancing was traditionally performed by men but is now performed by men and women.  Now in most competitions, the number of women competing far exceeds the number of men.
In addition to perpetuating a great cultural tradition, highland dancers appreciate the athletic challenges, competitive goals, performance opportunities as well as preserving this unique ethnic art form and sport.

2022 HIGHLAND DANCING RESULTS

2022 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
NOVICE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Amy Dong, Elkins, WV
INTERMEDIATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Elias Pealer, Elkins, WV
CLAN DONALD DANCER OF THE DAY
Kimberly Schanz, Cleveland, OH

PRIMARY CATEGORY RESULTS
Primary - Pas de Basques
1. Alexandra Winters, Tolland, MA
2. Olivia Spillan, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
3.  Annora McGill, Xenia, OH

              Primary
Pas de Basques & High Cuts

1. Annora McGill, Xenia, OH
2. Alexandra Winters, Tolland, MA
3.  Olivia Spillan, Cuyahoga Falls, OH


Primary - Highland Fling
1. Annora McGill, Xenia, OH
2. Alexandra Winters, Tolland, MA
3.  Olivia Spillan, Cuyahoga Falls, OH


Primary - Sword Dance

1. Annora McGill, Xenia, OH
2. Alexandra Winters, Tolland, MA
 

BEGINNER 11 & UNDER CATEGORY RESULTS
Beginner 11 & Under - Overall
1. Tessa Herb, Brecksville, OH
2. Sadie Herb, Brecksville, OH
3.  Elyse Spillan, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Beginner 11 & Under - Flora
1. Sadie Herb, Brecksville, OH
2. Tessa Herb, Brecksville, OH
3.  Elyse Spillan, Cuyahoga Falls, OH


Beginner 11 & Under
Highland Fling

1. Tessa Herb, Brecksville, OH
2. Sadie Herb, Brecksville, OH
3.  Elyse Spillan, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Beginner 11 & Under
Sword Dance

1. Tessa Herb, Brecksville, OH
2. Elyse Spillan, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
3. Avila Abernathy, Dayton, OH


Beginner 11 & Under
Seann Triubhas

1. Sadie Herb, Brecksville, OH
2. Tessa Herb, Brecksville, OH
3.  Elyse Spillan, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

BEGINNER 12 & OVER CATEGORY RESULTS
Most Promising Beginner
Tessa Herb, Brecksville, OH

Beginner 12 & Over - Overall
1. Michelle Abernathy, Dayton, OH
2. Ellyse Goddard, Elkins, WV
3. Amanda McGill, Xenia, OH

Beginner 12 & Over - Flora
1. Michelle Abernathy, Dayton, OH
2. Ellyse Goddard, Elkins, WV
3. Amanda McGill, Xenia, OH


Beginner 12 & Over
Highland Fling

1. Ellyse Goddard, Elkins, WV
2. Michelle Abernathy, Dayton, OH
3. Amanda McGill, Xenia, OH

Beginner 12 & Over
Sword Dance

1. Ellyse Goddard, Elkins, WV
2. Michelle Abernathy, Dayton, OH
3. Amanda McGill, Xenia, OH


Beginner 12 & Over
Seann Triubhas

1. Michelle Abernathy, Dayton, OH
2. Ceilidh McCarty, Dayton, OH
3. Amanda McGill, Xenia, OH

NOVICE 12 & UNDER CATEGORY RESULTS
Novice 12 & Under - Overall
1. Lillianna Chewning, Elkins, WV
2. Savannah Gannon, Elkins, WV
3. Lillian Sutphin, Centreville, VA

Novice 12 & Under - Flora
1. Lillianna Chewning, Elkins, WV
2. Savannah Gannon, Elkins, WV
3. Lillian Sutphin, Centreville, VA


Novice 12 & Under
Highland Fling

1. Savannah Gannon, Elkins, WV
2. Lillianna Chewning, Elkins, WV
3. Adelyn Ryckman, Xenia, OH

Novice 12 & Under
Sword Dance

1. Lillianna Chewning, Elkins, WV
2. Savannah Gannon, Elkins, WV
3. Kayla Harris, Elkins, WV


Novice 12 & Under
Seann Triubhas

1. Lillianna Chewning, Elkins, WV
2. Savannah Gannon, Elkins, WV
3. Graham Ryckman, Xenia, OH

NOVICE 13 & OVER CATEGORY RESULTS
Novice 13 & Over - Overall
1. Amy Dong, Elkins, WV
2. Alaric Davidson, Centreville, VA
3. Madalynn Ferguson, Elkins, WV

Novice 13 & Over - Flora
1. Amy Dong, Elkins, WV
2. Madalynn Ferguson, Elkins, WV
3. Alaric Davidson, Centreville, VA


Novice 13 & Over
Highland Fling

1. Amy Dong, Elkins, WV
2. Adella Nicholson, Stow, OH
3. Madalynn Ferguson, Elkins, WV

Novice 13 & Over
Sword Dance

1. Amy Dong, Elkins, WV
2. Madalynn Ferguson, Elkins, WV
3. Alaric Davidson, Centreville, VA


Novice 13 & Over
Seann Triubhas

1. Amy Dong, Elkins, WV
2. Alaric Davidson, Centreville, VA

3. Adella Nicholson, Stow, OH

INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY RESULTS
Intermediate - Overall
1. Elias Pealer, Elkins, WV
2. Clara Ryckman, Xenia, OH

3. Alissa Messner, Aliquippa, PA

Intermediate - Highland Fling
1. Elias Pealer, Elkins, WV
2. Clara Ryckman, Xenia, OH


Intermediate - Highland Laddie
1. Clara Ryckman, Xenia, OH
2. Elias Pealer, Elkins, WV
3. Alissa Messner, Aliquippa, PA

Intermediate - Seann Triubhas
1. Elias Pealer, Elkins, WV
2. Clara Ryckman, Xenia, OH

3. Alissa Messner, Aliquippa, PA


Intermediate - Sword Dance
1. Elias Pealer, Elkins, WV

PREMIER 15 & UNDER CATEGORY RESULTS
Premier 15 & Under - Overall
1. Sophia Demaagd, Chelsea, MI
2. Clara Bruner, Fairfax, VA

3. Natalie Demaagd, Chelsea, MI

Premier 15 & Under
Highland Fling

1. Sophia Demaagd, Chelsea, MI
2. Natalie Demaagd, Chelsea, MI

3. Clara Bruner, Fairfax, VA

Premier 15 & Under
Sword Dance

1. Sophia Demaagd, Chelsea, MI
2. Natalie Demaagd, Chelsea, MI

3. Clara Bruner, Fairfax, VA

Premier 15 & Under
Seann Triubhas

1. Clara Bruner, Fairfax, VA
2. Max Graf, Centreville, VA

3. Sophia Demaagd, Chelsea, MI

Premier 15 & Under
Highland Laddie

1. Clara Bruner, Fairfax, VA
2. Sophia Demaagd, Chelsea, MI

3. Max Graf, Centreville, VA

PREMIER 16 & OVER CATEGORY RESULTS
Premier 16 & Over - Overall
1. Kimberly Schanz, Cleveland, OH
2. Katie Janeiro, Monroeville, PA

3. Amy Shields, Alexandria, VA

Premier 16 & Over
Highland Fling

1. Kimberly Schanz, Cleveland, OH
2. Katie Janeiro, Monroeville, PA

3. Gabriele Pealer, Fairfax, VA

Premier 16 & Over
Sword Dance

1. Kimberly Schanz, Cleveland, OH
2. Katie Janeiro, Monroeville, PA

3. Gabriele Pealer, Fairfax, VA

Premier 16 & Over
Seann Triubhas

1. Katie Janeiro, Monroeville, PA
2. Kimberly Schanz, Cleveland, OH

3. Amy Shields, Alexandria, VA

Premier 16 & Over
Highland Laddie

1. Kimberly Schanz, Cleveland, OH
2. Katie Janeiro, Monroeville, PA

3. Gabriele Pealer, Fairfax, VA


2022 HIGHLAND DANCING EVENT SCHEDULE


Morning Registration 8:30am - Dancing 9:00am
Primary 
1. 16 Pas de Basques 
2. Pas de Basques & High Cuts 
3. Highland Fling (4) 
4. Sword Dance (2 & 1)

Novice
  8. Highland Fling (4) 
  9. Sword Dance (2 & 1)
10. Seann Triubhas (3 & 1)
Beginner
5. Highland Fling (4)
6. Sword Dance (2 & 1)
7. Seann Triubhas (3 & 1)

 

Afternoon Registration 12:30pm - Dancing 1:00 pm

Intermediate
11. Highland Fling (4) 
12. Sword Dance (2 & 1) 
13. Seann Triubhas (3 & 1) 
14. Highland Laddie (4)
Premier
15. Highland Fling (4)
16. Sword Dance (2 & 1)
17. Seann Triubhas (3 & 1)
18. Highland Laddie (4)

Types of Highland Dances

HIGHLAND FLING
Likely the oldest of the traditional dances of Scotland, the Highland Fling signifies victory following a battle. The warriors made this dance a feat of strength and agility by dancing on their upturned shields which had a sharp spike of steel projecting from the center. Dancers learned early to move with great skill and dexterity. Others say the Highland Fling was inspired by the sight of a deer prancing on a hillside. The upraised arms and hands in the dance represent the deer’s antlers.


SWORD DANCE (GILLIE CALLUM)
Legend has it that the initial Gillie Callum was created by Malcolm Canmore, a Celtic Prince who fought a battle in 1054. Triumphant, he crossed his opponent’s sword with his own and danced over them celebrating his victory. It is also said that the warriors danced the Sword Dance prior to battle. If the warrior touched the swords, it was considered an omen symbolizing injury or death in battle.


SEANN TRUIBHAS (OLD TROUSERS)
This dance originated as a political protest dating back to 1745 when the wearing of the kilt was an act of treason. Pronounced "shawn trews", this Gaelic phrase means "old trousers". The beautiful, graceful steps reflect the restrictions imposed by the foreign trousers. The lively quick time in the dance recreates the Highlanders’ celebration of rediscovered freedom.


THE STRATHSPEY AND HIGHLAND REEL
Of all the Highland Dancing events in which the competitors vie, the reels are the closest approach to social dancing. Even these, however, are individual competitions. While the teams consist of four dancers, the judges mark each competitor individually. Legend has it the Reel O’Tulloch is said to have started in a churchyard on a cold winter morning when the minister was late for his service. The parishioners tried to keep warm by stamping their feet, clapping their hands and swinging each other by the arms.

SCOTTISH LILT / FLORA MacDONALD'S FANCY / SCOTCH MEASURE / EARL OF ERROL
These four dances (and others) are known as Scottish National dances. They're of a more modern origin and have been collected from old dance masters. In America, National dances were not danced in competition until the 1960s. The attire worn by female dancers is called the Aboyne dress, named after the Aboyne Highland Games of Scotland where up to this day, the wearing of the kilt is strictly forbidden to women. The National dances are very similar to Highland dances, but the style is more flowing and balletic. They require a lot of skill to execute correctly, and spectators will note that often the rhythms are more complicated than in conventional Highland dancing.


THE SAILOR'S HORNPIPE
This dance is common to many parts of the British Isles. It derived its name from the fact that usually the musical accompaniment was played on a hornpipe rather than on bagpipes. Hornpipes were common instruments in those days; they were comparable to our present-day tin whistle. In time the dance became popular among seafaring men and is now associated with sailors. The modern Hornpipe imitates many shipyard activities common in the days of wooden ships and iron men.


PAS DE BASQUE AND HIGH CUTS
These are a combination of steps and extensions, similar to steps in ballet.   Dancers will extend their feet and work in combination with springing steps, alternating sides, in building basic movements for more complex dances that are later learned.  In the Primary level, 16 of these are performed and considered a dance so this is one of the first movements a Highland dancer learns.  These can then be combined with additional movements called the high cuts.


FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIGHLAND DANCING AND THE RULES AND REQUIREMENTS, CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VISIT THE ScotDanceUSA WEBSITE
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