jigs and wigs

one

The last feis before Oireachtas. For me, how I danced at the last feis always reflected how I danced at Oireachtas. I really wanted to do good because I really wanted to win. The same girl wins every year, Claire McKiernan. I wouldn't even mind it if she wasn't constantly bragging about how amazing she is. I knew she was going to be at the feis today and if I wanted to win Oireachtas I would have to win today first. The whole car ride there I was thinking about every correction I had gotten throughout the past month. My younger sister, Isabel, was sleeping in the back seat. Sometimes I wished I could be like her. She just liked the pretty sashes. My other sister, Shannon, was in u12 and was amazing. She's won Oireachtas every year she had competed and even won Nationals twice. Oh, and she is fifth in the world. I was mostly happy for her, but sometimes I wished I could be just as good.

"Shannon, can you wake up you sister? We're almost here." said my mom.

We pulled into the parking lot and I got out our zucas and dresses. My dress was blue with gold swirls on the front and lots of rhinestones. Shannon's was pink with a white design on the front and back and pink sheer sleeves. Isabel's was probably my favorite. It was black and gold, a simple design,  yet elegant.

"Are you girls ready to dance today?" asked my mom as we walked into the hotel where the feis was being hosted.

"yep!" replied Isabel,"Do they have trophies at this feis? I really like the sparkly ones!"

I laughed and told her I think they did. We were all dancing in the same ballroom so it was good that we got a spot in the front. Shannon danced first at 8:00am, Isabel at 10:15am, and I was last at 1:00. And that was hoping the competition was running on time. I got started on Isabel's hair as Shannon stretched and warmed up.

As it got closer to 8:00, more people from out school in Shannon's group started to arrive. Tess, Cora, and Jordan were all really good dancers so maybe the Bowen Academy could take the top four! I finished Isabels hair and ran through her steps in the corner. She wasn't on for two hours but it was good for her to review her steps a couple times before she danced.

"Checking in competition 506, open girls u12!" said the volunteer side stage. As the girls went up to check in I counted about 20-21 in their group! That was a little more than usual but it was the last opportunity to dance before next weekend so I guess it made sense. They were starting in hard shoe and Tess was up first! She danced amazing and I could definitely see her in the top three. Shannon was next and of course she blew everyone away. Her rhythm and timing were perfect and her clicks practically went past her head. Cora and Jordan danced good too so if they all kept this up I was pretty confident they would all place. Their second round was very similar and they all danced amazing. Jordan had a little slip but she caught herself and kept dancing. Now was time for sets.

Shannon was last but when she stepped on stage everyone went silent. She was practically a celebrity in our region and everyone loved to watch her. Her set was perfection, Every shuffle was perfect and her stamina was incredible. There was absolutely no doubt that she would win. She got off the stage and smiled, so she was clearly proud of how she did.

"That was so good!" I told her in a whisper.

"Thanks!" she replied,"I think that might be the best I've ever done it!"

We went over to where the awards were while another mom helped Isabel get stretched and warmed up.

"Now announcing the results for competition 506, open girls u12!" said the announcer holding a piece of paper. "The first round was judged by John O'Conner, In 10th place competitor 403. . .In 6th place competitor 785." We all cheered, That was Cora! "In third place competitor 204, In second place competitor 374, and in first place competitor 942!" We all cheered again for Jordan, Tess, and Shannon. The top three!
In the second round Jordan got fourth, Cora got third, Tess got second, and Shannon got first. Maybe the Bowen Academy could take the top four!

"The overall results for girls u12!" They didn't call any of them until the top five so that was good! "In fifth place, competitor 785, Cora Conway from the Bowen Academy!" I had never heard of the girl in fourth place but that meant Jordan, Tess, and Shannon were the top three! "In third place competitor 204, Jordan Sullivan from the Bowen Academy!" She got her sash and trophy and I could tell she was excited to be in the top three. "In second place competitor 374, Tess Murphy from the Bowen Academy! And your girls u12 champion is competitor 942, Shannon O'Brien from the Bowen Academy!" We all clapped and cheered and of course my mom had to get a picture. If the rest of the day went like this, I could see the Bowen Academy doing very good at Oireachtas!