Highland Dance

Remember the article about how we went to our first Highland Games and Sage was obsessed with Highland Dance? So I found her a coach and she started taking lessons… three months later…

Sage participated in her first Highland Games as a Highland dancer. She donned a beautiful Royal Macgregor dress plaid kilt. (It’s ‘dress plaid’ because of the white background-royal because of the gorgeous blue) She danced three classic highland dances, the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, and the Seann Triubhas. 6:12 AM is when she woke up and couldn’t wait to dance! She didn’t go on until 1:30 so it was a bit of a struggle to keep her calm until then. A lot like Christmas morning but with bagpipes. It was pretty adorable though to watch her wide eyes sparkle as the time drew closer.

The Traditional Highland Dances

Her first dance was as old as the ancestors, the Highland Fling. She was nervous and had a hard time focusing. She kept looking at us and all around. First she forgot to bow and the beginning and although she was on time for the first two steps, during the third she started looking around, lost focus, and had a couple missteps. Like a champ, she completed the dance on time and with a big smile. The first dance was completed!

She warmed up with her coach for the second dance. Sage went on stage and focused. She glanced at us and then refocused. Then she danced the sword with grace and didn’t touch the sword at all. She finished on time.

The third dance was the Seann Triubhas. Sage focused and looked straight ahead. She concentrated on her steps and delivered the best Seann Triubhas I’ve ever seen her do, complete with holding out her second steps. At the end she held her position and she knew she nailed it because she looked over and gave the cutest little smile.

Winners Announced

About an hour later they called all the beginners up and gave out places. They called six numbers and names for places six through first for the fling. Sage was not amongst them. That was OK. But you could see a wee bit of natural disappointment on her face. Next they called places for the sword dance. As they called names and numbers from sixth on down to first we became worried as Sage was not called at all. We hoped she would place somewhere, and we figured since this was her first time dancing, it would be fifth or sixth place. She stood there smiling and clapping for each girl but you could see her thoughts on her face and then guess what?? She placed first!

We were hardly over the joy of her first place in the Sword dance when they began announcing the places for the Seann Triubhas. And OMG- She earned first place there as well! We were thrilled and judging by the smile on her face, she was too. I jumped up ready to meet her and hug her when the announcer said it was time to announce to aggregate winner…something we didn’t expect at ALL…It was Sage Tousey!

I’m not saying FOR SURE, but there may have been tears. OMG This little girl saw something in February and fell in love with it. Danced like a madman and learned everything she possibly could. Worked hard and earned herself a place in this new world as a serious player in the world of Highland Dance. How cool is that?? That’s tear worthy right?

Goals

What an introduction to the world of Highland Dance! Sage and her coach promptly made plans to compete in five more competitions and work her way up to the next level.

Twelve Months Later

So…. this addendum is needed because our world has been turned upside down in the very best of ways. Highland Dance has exposed us as a family to so much beauty and joy. And the character building for Sage, well it’s been unbelievable.

Exactly one year later Sage had advanced through the ranks from beginner, to the Premier level of Highland Dance. This little girl is dedicated and has learned valuable lessons about perseverance, hard work, practice, goal setting, and one of my favorites…sportsmanship. SO many life skills! She has made amazing friends and learned a lot about herself.

Well at this one year anniversary of her debut to Highland Dance, she competed in the Regional Championships as a Premier Dancer. She danced all four of the traditional highland dances and placed first overall. She is now considered a Western Representative and is going to Nationals in July.

The thing is, last year, when she won in the beginner class, she announced to us all she wanted to come back next year, win regionals and earn the right to compete at Nationals. We all thought it was cute and of course encouraged her but we also knew realistically that would be a couple years out. I mean, it’s invitation only and given to those who place 1-3rd at Regionals. It’s prestigious. My lesson? Don’t underestimate the power of a young girl and a goal. One who hasn’t been jaded by the world. She did it! She is going to Nationals! OH, and she’s 9.

The Scotts have a reputation for being tenacious and hard working. Well, I think it’s safe to say those genes have trickled down. I can’t wait to see what she does next!

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