Fifteen-year-old Hilton High School sophomore Brittany O'Reilly competed in the World Irish Dance Championships in Belfast, Ireland in April. "The World Championships are like the Olympics for an Irish dancer, as more than 2,000 solo competitors and 2,000 team competitors from 314 schools represented 11 counties in the eight-day competition," Laurie O'Reilly (Brittany's mother) said. "Competitors must qualify for the right to represent their regions by placing in the top 10 in regional competition. Brittany qualified by placing fourth in her age group in the Mid-Atlantic region. At the World Championship, dancers compete in two rounds of competition, at which point the top 30 percent are 'called back' to compete in a third, final round. Brittany became the first Rochester area girl in more than 25 years to reach the final recall round of competition and receive a medal for her accomplishment. She placed 40th out of 140 qualifying dancers in her age group. Brittany trained under Edward Murphy Jr. of Drumcliffe Irish Arts. The last girl to receive a recall medal was Kathleen O'Keefe, now the teacher and director of the O'Keefe School in Rochester." Brittany is the daughter of Tom and Laurie O'Reilly. May 21, 2006 |
