Conestoga Valley
URGENT FREE PRERETIREE WORKSHOPS • Maximize Your Social Security! • Minimize Your Taxes! • Understand Medicare Choices! Protect Your Nest Egg!
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JUNE 15, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVIII • NO 25
See flyer inside for registration info on this Free workshop!
Near The Top Of The Worlds BY ANN MEAD ASH
hen Jennifer Raff was looking for an activity for her daughters that she felt was safer than horseback riding, she heard about the Hooley School of Irish Dance, then located in Akron. She enrolled her older daughter, Olivia, and soon her younger daughter, Natalie, was also interested. “I wanted to do the same thing as (my big sister),” explained Natalie. Now Natalie, a 13-year-old Conestoga Valley Virtual Academy student, is a top Irish dancer, placing 10th in the World Irish Dance Championships - the second-highest American in her age group - in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in April. To qualify for the competition, she won the U.S. National Championships in July 2021 and placed third at the Mid-Atlantic Region Oireachtas in November 2021. Just under 200 dancers competed in the same division as Natalie. The contest drew thousands of dancers from more than 20 countries, but the top eight finalists were all from Ireland.
Auction To Benefit Special Needs Workshops
her by a company in England that the family has worked with for several years. The designer developed her signature black and yellow look for her. Irish dance competitors are also known for hair that is piled high on their heads. “We tried curling her hair, but before we knew it, we were putting on the big wig,” said Jennifer, who noted that hair accessories called “doughnuts” may be piled three high on a dancer’s head. “They’re not too heavy,” noted Natalie. Jennifer pointed out that the tall hair is more than just a style. “When you’re on that big stage in a concert hall, because the (dancers) are further away, the bigger hair does look better,” she said. Because Natalie’s schooling is now done in a hybrid format with some online and some in person, her schedule will allow her to continue to practice her dancing with a focus on competitions. Natalie still trains at the Hooley School, now located in Brownstown, which is owned and directed by Crystal Carper, a certified Irish dance teacher and adjudicator.
See Workshops pg 7
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Cavod Plans Open Houses
CVEF Grants Approved . .4
BY ANN MEAD ASH
BY ANN MEAD ASH
Mattie cannot wait to greet visitors to Caring Hearts, one of several centers in Lancaster and Lebanon counties that serve members of the Plain community with special needs. Mattie crosses the room to say hello with joy and exuberance. Another of the women brings a guest book to sign. Both are happy to welcome strangers in their midst.
Natalie Raff
To Inspire Excellence
Cavod Academy is planning to hold its annual open house events in New Holland and Manheim.
Cavod Academy offers a variety of classes in dance, voice, and more, with an emphasis on “creating with purpose.” An essential goal of the organization is to offer students a godly environment that inspires excellence in the arts while building community and impacting lives. Cavod Academy, with locations in New Holland at 665 W. Main St. and Manheim at 280 S. Oak St., will hold open houses to usher in its fall 2022 season. The New Holland open house will be held on Saturday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Manheim event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. Cavod offers classes for 3-year-olds to adults. Lessons are available in dance classes including all levels of jazz, ballet, creative movement, hip-hop, acrobatics, and modern dance, along with music, theater, and acting. In-person and livestreamed options are available. See Cavod pg 3
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Natalie, who is a student of Sara Locke, has participated in several national competitions in the past, traveling to both Ireland and Scotland to compete. Dancers compete in three categories: hard shoe, which uses a shoe with a built-up sole; soft shoe, where the shoes are more like supple ballet slippers; and set, which is also a hard shoe dance. Jennifer said that Natalie got much more serious about competing during the COVID-19 shutdown. “(The girls) were home and didn’t have as much to do,” said Jennifer. “It was good exercise.” Both mother and daughter commented on the distinctive costumes associated with the activity. Jennifer noted that just a few decades ago the costumes were decorated more with traditional embroidery and fewer flashy decorations. “The skirts were longer and they had pleats in front,” she said, adding that hard panels helped to hold skirts in place. “As the dancing has evolved to become more athletic, (the costumes changed),” she explained, adding, “You can’t kick with those (panels) in there.” Natalie’s costumes are designed especially for
