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Pursuit of Excellence
The Pursuit of Excellence program allows students to adjust their
academic schedule to allow for training and practising in competitive
activities.
Andrea, Grade 9, Ice Dancer
Andrea, has been ice dancing since she was four years old and competing since she was eight. Her mom was a figure skater when she was younger, and she encouraged Andrea to compete professionally. This is Andrea’s first year at Trafalgar. She always wanted to go to a private school and being involved in the Pursuit of Excellence Program gives her more time for ice dancing. She skates six days a week for two and a half hours in the morning and one and a half hours in the afternoon.
It was only after she moved here that she began dancing and competing with a partner. Asked what makes a good partner, Andrea commented his body type has to be right, i.e. he has to be taller than she is and able to lift her. He also must be a strong skater and have a good personality. She said, “I like having a partner. It’s more exciting; you get to meet a lot more people.” She has been with her current partner for almost a year.
The same way a partner has to be a good fit, her costume also has to make her look professional! The best costumes are eye-catching, and her favorite is all black with a slanted skirt with flowers and fishnet on the arms.
Andrea balances school and skating by “focusing on school when I’m at school and skating when I’m at skating.” Currently, she is training for Sectionals and then Nationals. Her goal is to compete in the 2010 Olympics. To do that, she would have to finish in the top two at Nationals in the senior division. She is well on her way, having won Provincials last year with her old partner. And, no, she has never fallen in competition.
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Jacqueline, Grade 9, Dancer
I do ballet, jazz, modern and lyrical dance. Dance is basically expressing emotion and feeling through movement.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you while dancing?
Every December, my dance school travels to a bunch of elementary schools to perform The Nutcracker. During one performance my ballet shoe started falling off. Because it was a performance, I couldn’t fix it, so I just kept dancing and hoped that it wouldn’t fall off. Later on in the dance, I did a kick, and my ballet shoe went flying off my foot and hit one of the audience members in the face!
Jessica, Grade 9, Synchronized Swimmer
Synchronized swimming is an Olympic sport which mixes swimming with ballet and gymnastics and includes diving, stunts, lifts and endurance. There are many components and requirements with synchronized swimming. While swimming in a competition some items that are required are nose clips and competition suits; while competing, your hair must be in a bun which is kept in place with unflavoured Knox gelatin. While swimming a routine not only does an athlete need to have good endurance, strength and agility, but they need to do all of this while holding their breath for up to two minutes.
What is your goal in your sport?
My goal in synchronized swimming is to make the 13-15 National Team next year.
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Evie, Grade 11, Dancer
I am a competitive dancer in tap, jazz, ballet, point, musical theatre, lyrical and modern dance. I have been dancing since I was three, and I started competing at six. Tap is my favourite and main area of dance. Dancing teaches you so many skills that are applicable to everyday life; for example, it teaches you great memorization skills; it gives you great focus; and it keeps you out of trouble.
What is your proudest moment in your dance career?
My proudest moment in dance would be at the World Championships in Germany from November 23-December 3, 2006 for Tap Dance. I worked so hard and had to sacrifice so much time and energy to get to that point, but Canada won the gold medal. I have never felt more proud than when I was standing on the podium singing the national anthem while the Canadian flag was being raised.
What do you look for in a partner?
In a solo, you can make it any style you want, but when dancing with others, you must dance in the same way. Choreographers constantly tell their students that they must not dance like a soloist while in a group number because the spotlight should not be on one particular person; it should be shared between everyone. Luckily for me, my main duet partner and I have danced with each other for our whole lives therefore we are so similar when we dance.
Madeleine, Grade 10, Equestrian Rider
I ride English horseback.
What is your proudest moment in your sport?
My proudest moment was buying my first horse.
What do you look for in the partner/horse?
Reliability.
Anything else people should know about your sport?
It’s not as easy as you think.
Katelyn, Grade 10, Equestrian Rider
I horseback ride and compete in Eventing.
What is your proudest moment in your sport?
When I competed in the States for the first time and got 3rd place.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in your sport?
When I was riding with some of my friends and we got lost for 3 hours in the woods.
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Casey, Grade 7, Equestrian Rider
I horseback ride, pony club bit
and show at breed shows
(Welsh Pony and Cob
Association of Ontario). I have
three horses: a Welsh pony, a
Welsh cob and an Arab.
What is your goal in your
sport?
I plan to jump and drive the
buggy at the Royal Winter Fair.
What do you look for in a
horse?
I hope that my horse listens to
me and we work well together.
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Samantha, Grade 8, Volleyball Player
This is my third year playing rep volleyball but my fifth year playing school volleyball. I also play beach volleyball to help with my volleyball skills.
What is your favourite thing about Trafalgar?
My favourite thing about Trafalgar is getting really amazing friends that you will have in your life forever. No matter where they live or where they’re from everybody gets along really well.
How do you balance school work and practice?
It is easier balancing homework and volleyball this year because with the four day schedule you don’t get as much homework.
What is your goal in your sport?
My goal for playing volleyball is to one day get a university scholarship. I really enjoy playing volleyball, and it is a good stress reliever.
Meghan, Grade 7, Swimmer
I am a competitive swimmer, I race against kids that are my age from all around the world at meets.
How do you balance school work and practice?
After I get home from swimming every night, I start on my homework, and when I am finished, I go to bed right away for an early start the next morning. (Tuesday & Thursday mornings at 4:30 a.m.)
What is your proudest moment in your sport?
My proudest moment in my sport was achieving a silver medal at Long Course Provincials. I got that medal in the 200m freestyle relay (50m each girl). I was the anchor (last of the four) and made us go from fourth to second place.
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Alexia, Grade 9, Dancer
I have been a dancer for 11 years. It takes passion and determination to get up on a stage in front of hundreds of people and do what you do best. The adrenalin that you get when you’re on that stage is an incredible feeling! It makes you feel really great when people you don’t even know come up to you and tell you how amazingly you danced or what a good dancer you are!
How did you get involved in dance?
I got involved with dance because when I was younger my older cousin danced, and I remember watching her every Saturday and telling myself I wanted to be like her.
Heather, Grade 12, Dancer
I am a competitive dancer. I dance every night of the week and have been dancing since I was two and competing since I was nine.
What is your proudest moment in your dance career?
My proudest moment is being asked to be in a Coke commercial that my dance teacher is going to choreograph.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you while dancing?
I would have to say that the most embarrassing moment would be falling during an awards ceremony. It was a hollow stage, and I was walking back from getting an award. Everyone was silent to hear the next award, and I fell and made a huge noise.
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