The Trish Hardner Memorial Trophy awarded by Rince Na Tiarna Association of Erie, PA.
Canandaigua, NY — “Perpetual-ity”. The PGA has it. Irish Dance has it.
As I watched Jason Dufner hoist the gigantic Wanamaker Trophy at the 95th PGA Championship, golf’s final major tournament of the season, in nearby Rochester on Sunday, I thought about how surreal it must be for him right at this moment. He certainly looked as if he’d awakened in a dream world.
Only a champion gets to experience that moment.
At every Irish Dance competition (feis)(fesh), a whole bevy of new champions are recognized and awarded their trophies and sashes and medals. I always wondered if Renee would ever win a perpetual trophy, and have her name engraved on it for posterity. It’s been a rarity for Renee to actually be in a competition where a perpetual trophy is awarded. The major competitions like World Championships, North American, British, Australian, Irish and Scottish Nationals, etc., all have them, and there are quite a few throughout the Irish Dance world that are awarded each year at local feisiana.
So it was on Saturday, and anticipating the prestigious award adds a little zing to the competition, I’ll say that. We spent a long day in the Niagara Falls Convention Center, and it was a good day for the Young School with two perpetual trophies won, and a new champion welcomed to the growing ranks of the Young Champions.
The Trish Hardner Memorial was established this year, 2013, to commemorate her efforts to successfully establish a branch of the Rince Na Tiarna dance school in Erie, PA. She was recognized at the awards ceremony for the Champion Girls Under 17 competition and was represented by her daughter and grandchildren.
I’m reminded that it’s in the Irish dance tradition for the teacher to bring the dance to the students rather than having the students come to them. It must be a lot like missionary work, because it reaches into some very small communities throughout the world. And wherever you are, you could be sufficiently inspired by Irish dance to be a conduit for its learning.
We were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time here in little old Canandaigua for Renee to have begun her formal dance career when she did — when the Young School came to town. Really, it would probably not have happened otherwise, so we feel honored that she could become the first to commemorate Mrs. Hardner’s pioneering and giving spirit. It’ll be fun shifting that big cup all about the house for the next year until we return it for next year’s Feis at the Falls.
Harkening back to the previous post, “The Bling Thing”, of course, awards are great, when you win them. However, they can be a bitter reminder when you lose out. We’ve been together on both sides of the equation, experiencing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat (thank you ABC Sports).
The recognition Renee receives because her winning talent and personality has been a vicarious thrill through the years. She rarely disappoints. I personally have no trophy to hoist, save for Renee. She’s grown far too big to toss in the air any more. Instead, she lifts us all up with her latest accomplishment.
Stay inspired.
Jim
feisfunder 