Since leaving St. Mary’s Sixth Form in 2016, my passion for dance has continued to grow. Niamh Benson, a fellow St. Mary’s alumna, and I triumphed as National Ballroom and Latin Champions at the Blackpool Grand Finals last November. After years of dedicated effort and steadily climbing the ranks, not forgetting the unrivalled support of our teachers at SUPASTUDIOS, we finally achieved this milestone in our respective age categories, competing at the highest level of this competition circuit.

Dance has been transformative for both Niamh and me. Beyond the vast physical benefits, it has been instrumental in enhancing our confidence, building resilience, and alleviating social anxiety and stress (not to mention the beautiful dresses we get to wear!).

We have observed firsthand how dance can empower young women, helping them tackle common challenges such as low self-esteem and the pressures of our digital age. It provides a safe space and a supportive community where they can challenge themselves to step out of their comfort zones, while also developing valuable life skills such as goal setting, discipline, and emotional intelligence. 

This transformative power of dance is something we hope to share with St. Mary's girls in the future!