Graduating Senior Family Spotlight: Judy & Cayla

Name: Judy L.
 
Dancer at SRL: Cayla B.
 
How old was your dancer when they started Irish dance? What is your earliest memory of them dancing?
 
Cayla was just shy of 3 when she started dancing (pic #1!) My earliest memory is photo #2: dancing at the Irish American Home in Glastonbury at when she was just 3 ½.
 
How long has your family been dancing with SRL? Why SRL?
 
Cayla’s been at SRL 4 years. We came to SRL to sharpen technique and progress in competition.
 
Best dance memory?
 
Best dance memory is the weekend she got 1st in all 10 dances (pics #3 & #4) to move up to Prelim! Other good memories are winning her first prelim trophy (pic #5,) finally placing in Oireachtas in traditional set (pic #6,) placing in solo in Oireachtas (pic #7,) and getting her 1st in Prelim (pic #8).

If your dancer is retiring, which parts of being so involved with the Irish dance world will you miss the most?
 
The part I will miss the most when Cayla retires from SRL (she does hope to continue in college) will be seeing all the people we have met and befriended over the years from different schools and especially the quality time spent with her. We will all be entering a new phase of life and it will never be the same.
 
What’s the most important life lesson you think your dancer learned from Irish dance?
 
The most important lesson Cayla’s learned are the benefits of hard work and never giving up.
 
What are your dancer’s plans for the future so far?
 
Cayla hopes to study environmental engineering and to keep dancing!
 
Any advice to graduating dancers? To younger dancers and their families?
 
My advice to graduating dancers would be continue to enjoy dancing and think back to the great times and friends you have had these past years. To younger dancers and families: enjoy every moment including the ups and downs and treasure your time together because it will be gone in the blink of an eye. Believe me, this is bittersweet and there are a few tears falling as I write this.
 
What are your hopes and dreams for your dancer’s life?
 
My hopes and dreams for Cayla are that she would follows her dreams and find a good place for herself in life.
 
This post is the first in a series. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.