Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Local kid wins Irish dance world championship

A kid from west suburban Villa Park has won the boys’ gold medal in the Under 14 category at the 41st World Irish Dance Championships, now ongoing in Dublin. On April 18, 13-year old Peter Dziak became the first solo gold medal winner in this category in the 30-year history of Chicago's famous Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. (Until yesterday, the boys' U14 category was the only category that had not been won by dancers from the Trinity school.)

Persons familiar with this blog may be pleased to learn of young Mr. Dziak's splendid victory but question the reason for my ranging so far afield from the usual sort of post offered here.

As it happens, there is a perfectly good reason. Peter Dziak is the son of Joan and Dick Dziak. Joan Dziak (nee Sullivan) is my cousin. Me and my two left feet are happy and proud for all of them.

Incidentally, I pulled Peter's picture from the linked story in TimeOut Chicago Kids. The photo credit is given to Anne Dziak, Peter's sister. On April 21, Anne sheds her photojournalist persona and becomes a competitor at "the Worlds" herself.

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