Local dancer a world medallist

By Hailey Moore

The Watt School of Irish Dance just returned from Montreal where they competed at the 53rd annual World Irish Dancing Championships.

Nine local dancers earned their place at the international competition with top placings at the Western Canadian Qualifer last November. Since then, the girls have been training intensely in hopes of making it to the final rounds of the World Championships, and perhaps earning a world medal.

Reese Gibbons did just that, returning with a coveted world medal from the Girls 13-14 category. Placing 16th overall among the top 200 dancers around the globe, Gibbons also achieved the title of top Canadian, and fourth in North American for the age group. Attaining a world medal is a milestone achievement most work toward their entire career. After the week-long event, Reese’s result had her taking home one of just five medals for Canadian girls under 18.

Two of Gibbons’ teammates also left with notable results. Mélodie Kemp reached the fifth and final round of the two-day Ladies 17-18 competition. Placing 20th overall, she earned a finalist medal, just short of the world medal, which is awarded based on percentage of competitors. Emalee Chapple also made it to day two in Ladies 18-

19, reaching the fourth round and coming away with a semifinalist medal.

Now it’s back to the studio for the Watt School, this time in preparation for the North American Irish Dance Championships. Sixteen members of the Fort St. John school will be competing in Nashville this July: Beau Almeida, Heidi Blackmore, Paisley Gibbons, Violet Kursteiner, McKinley Pomeroy (11-12), Hillary Campbell, Gemma McQuillan (12-13), Kayleigh Fowler, Reese Gibbons (13-14), Katie Campbell (14-15), Lauryn Campbell (15-16), Naia Gibbons, Ava Wolff (16-17), Linley Jarabek, Melodie Kemp (17-18), and Emalee Chapple (18-19).

“The federal government’s refusal to absorb these costs – which were essentially negotiated with municipal money but not with municipal input – is not acceptable,” FCM president Taneen Rudyk said. “Municipal councils will be forced to make incredibly tough decisions, such as making cuts to essential services or passing the bill along to residents, at a time when Canadians’ concerns about local safety and the cost of living are already rising.”

The city said in a statement that it supports the FCM position that municipalities be actively involved in any future processes regarding contract policing.

“This decision is an example of a federal commitment that deeply impacts municipalities without municipalities being properly consulted or involved,” the city statement read. “Municipal governments are paying a growing share of policing costs, but they cannot run deficits and have limited revenue tools.”

— with files from Jon Manchester/Castanet