Caboolture-born dancer Holley Smith and her Australian teammates had their golden dreams come true at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando in April.
Representing the Madeline Stuart Dance Company, Holley and the team made history competing as part of Australia’s first-ever all-abilities hip hop teams at the championships and bringing home two gold medals.
Holley, 21, lives with Coffin-Lowry syndrome, and balances a full schedule of dance, study and work. She is currently completing a Certificate III in Childcare while undertaking placement, all alongside therapy and specialist appointments.
She said taking to the world stage was a dream realised.
“I’m so proud to show others what people with a disability can do when they get the chance,” she said. “It really was exciting, being on that stage with my friends and wearing my Team Australia outfits; I loved all of it!
“I feel so lucky to be able to dance and have fun with my friends. I am glad that my sister Georgia came to Florida with me; it was a trip I’ll never forget.”
According to Holley, having fun on the stage is a big part of her mindset and her advice for others heading down the same path is to “have fun and practice”.
Creating Opportunities Through Inclusive Dance
Her journey is supported by the vision of Madeline Stuart, whose dance company has become a platform for inclusion.
“I love that our dance school gives people with disabilities so many opportunities,” Madeline said. “For those that love to perform, it really is life-changing. Watching the smiles on people’s faces, seeing them grow through their achievements is so rewarding, plus getting to know so many families who then become part of our dance family is beautiful. For some, that sense of belonging is something they have searched for, for a long time.
“When we first started the school 10 years ago, the most common thing that we heard was no one had a platform to express themselves artistically, so our main goal was to change that.
“Ten years later, things are very different. We travel a lot to perform. Last year, we went to the USA and New Zealand, plus extensively around Australia. You never hear those comments now, because for those who want this experience, it is readily available.”
Looking ahead, Holley is excited for what’s next.
“We have our mid-year dance concert soon,” she said. “I love our concerts we have at Madeline Stuart Dance Company. Plus, we have both national and another international competition coming up in the next couple of months we need to start preparing for.”
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- Caboolture Connect: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Movie Review: A Loose End
- Podcast Review: The Rest is History
- Chamber Chat
- Samford Arts Trail Opens Doors to Creativity
- Organic Gardening in June
- Festival of Showjumping Reaches New Heights
- The Buckby Family: Remembering Narangba’s Early Families
- Dreamcoat of Community Spirit
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- Help Celebrate Phoenix’s 13th Birthday
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- Pranafest Returns to Woodford
- Resins To Remember: Art Workshops In Caboolture
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