The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, July 19, 2023 - Page 7
High praise for Niko’s team after Mundare dancers capture world gold BY JANA SEMENIUK Three young dancers from Mundare captured gold medals at the World Dance Cup in Whistler B.C. earlier this month. Matthew Kit, 14, his sister Brynn, 12, along with dance partner Ruth Derow, 12, performed the winning 50s rock and roll medley tap dance number choreographed by Niko’s Dance Team instructor Quincy Pipella. Matthew and Brynn’s mother, Shauna Kit, said the group has worked hard over the past year with Matthew winning three dance scholarships in addition to winning gold at several competitions with his sister and Derow. Kit said that one competition in Fort Saskatchewan was the team’s ticket into the World Cup. “They did this number at the (Sundance) competitions in Fort
Saskatchewan, (and) the adjudicator there was able to give a ticket. She was able to choose the performance she was moved by and she gave (them) this ticket straight to the World Dance Cup that would be held in Whistler this July,” she said. “That was a very special thing.” The World Dance Cup, first held in Vancouver B.C. in 2008, attracts dancers from all around the world with competitions in each age group and dance category. Dancers can only participate by invitation with seven age categories from six and under to over 30. Kit said Matthew has been dancing since the age of seven while Brynn and Ruth have been dancing since they were five. “Matthew has a real passion for dance. He is also a competitive hip
hop dancer in Edmonton (and) does his technical dances, ballet, tap, Jazz, and hip hop out of Niko’s (Dance Team), and then he is also part of Mantra Movement, which is a competitive Hip Hop studio that he also (dances with),” she said. Kit said she homeschools her two children which allows them the freedom to travel and devote time for their passion. “We homeschool with Vista Virtual. (I) love their program and it enables us to do this kind of stuff. (It’s with) Pembina Hills school division (and) it's full Alberta curriculum. All the material is sent (and) laid out, you just have to follow it,” she said. “Homeschooling allows us that freedom.” In addition to homeschooling, Kit said several local families support each other by
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taking turns carpooling their children to Ryley for dance classes at Niko’s Dance Team, just over 30 kilometers away. “As a community we make this work,” said Kit, adding they have been attending Niko’s for the past six years. “(Niko’s Dance Team) often gets overlooked because it's small town, but it isn't every day that local kids are getting invited to do stuff like (World Dance Cup) and that's 100 percent from their training and their teachers and their mentorship.” Niko’s recently celebrated their 20th anniversary this year. Meanwhile, Matthew will also be travelling to New York next week with his mother to attend a week-long training camp.
Local dancers from Mundare, (L-R) Brynn Kit, 12, Matthew Kit, 14, and Ruth Derow, 12, pose with their gold medals won at the World Dance Cup competition in Whistler B.C. earlier this month. The dancers train out of Niko's Dance Studio in Ryley. Photo: Shauna Kit
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Battle River Community Foundation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Battle River Community Foundation was founded in 1995 to serve as a conduit to match community-minded donors with worthy causes and organizations that exist to support the local area.
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The Foundation is recruiting for an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The Executive Director position core function is to manage the operations of the foundation in accordance to the guidelines established by the Board of Directors. Duties and Responsibilities will include: -Leadership and Management of the business operations of the foundation. -Along with the Board of Directors lead the development execution of the Strategic Plan. -Leading a small Administration team -Leading Fund Development and Donor Stewardship -Public Relations and Marketing -Along with the Board of Directors ensure legal compliance with the Canada Revenue Agency, and Provincial legislation and regulation. -Lead the development of the annual budget and provide timely and accurate financial reports to the Board of Directors. -Along with the Board of Directors ensure that the Foundation respects and meets the requests of the Donors for the long-term sustainability of the Fund. -Strong Public and Donor Relations. The successful candidate should have a University degree or proven experience in non-profit leadership and financial management, excellent Interpersonal skills to maintain donor, community partners, Board of Directors, and team member relations. The Executive Director Position is a full-time position reporting to the Board of Directors. Location: Camrose, Alberta Salary: $70,000 to $90,000 per year Closing Date: July 31, 2023 To apply please send Cover and Resume to: Battle River Community Foundation – Carol Rollheiser, Director Email: c.rollheiser@telus.net https://brcf.ca/
