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Local student jigs her way to first place in the North American Irish Dancing Championships!

They say that ‘dancing is like dreaming on your feet’, and a local student in Gateshead danced her way to making her dream a reality!

Saoirse Fleming, a student at Cardinal Hume, is celebrating achieving first place in the North American Irish Dancing Championships. Wow, what an achievement! 

No stranger to a champion status

The competition, which took place in Texas at the beginning of July, marked the second year Saoirse has been the North American champion in her year group. 

Good things certainly come to those who put the work in. This Year 8 pupil has been a student at the Kelly Hendry School of Irish Dancing since the age of just four! 

Following her success, Saoirse said it felt amazing to have come first again.

The comeback is always greater than the setback

While Saoirse has certainly enjoyed much success throughout her time as an Irish dancer, she unfortunately pulled a hamstring earlier in the year. 

Of course, this was a disappointing setback, but she utilised her passion and dedication to overcome the misfortune and said she was “so happy that her hard work had paid off.”

Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Huge congratulations to Saoirse for this monumental achievement. It’s so important that our pupils have passions and interests beyond the classroom, and when one is able to make their passion a resounding success, well, that’s even more impressive!”

Saoirse is extremely dedicated to both her school work and Irish dancing, and staff at Cardinal Hume school – as well as at the Kelly Hendry School – are all delighted at her success. 

You can add Schools North East to that list, too! We’re extremely proud and look forward to seeing where her dancing takes her next.

Cardinal Hume is a Schools North East Partner School. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.

We love to hear good news from North East Schools, to share your news with Schools North East please tag @SchoolsNE on Twitter or fill in this short form.

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