The Irish dance world centers around competition. The majority of that is done solo and that is what we stepped into just a couple of months after beginning lessons. Over six years, I competed "locally" (meaning Vancouver BC to Portland) an average of six or more times a year. By the time I was in late high school,  we were going to classes twice a week in Seattle, an hour and a half away from our home in Mount Vernon. I was also part of teams-8 to 16 dancers in either a traditional dance much like some of the ceili dances or in unique choreography dances. During my senior year, my 16 person choreography team won our regional competition and our teacher decided we were ready to compete in World Championships. Less than six months later, we traveled to Belfast, Northern Ireland and competed in the World Irish Dance Championships. I had had vague dreams of maybe someday making it to worlds, but never thought it would happen. This was a literal dream come true. My team wound up taking third place. It was an incredible experience. 

This is the first time I have ever been asked that question!  I once heard it said "Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made of."  When I dance for an audience, I get to share something I love-who I am-- with other people. At the same time, dance - the best of it - isn't something for performance only nor is performing what I love best about it. For me, dance is like lifeblood. It is done in celebration and joy but also in times of sadness and even grief. What I love best is the freedom of the dance itself. My dance school costume said, "To see us dance is to hear our hearts speak" and that is my favorite part of dance.

Hang out on the Veritas campus long enough and there's a good chance you will hear our award-winning concert choir hard at work practicing. What most may not know is that our choir travels...a lot. There are local concerts, festivals, seminars, symposiums, and competitions. If the choir isn't competing, they are practicing and learning what it takes to remain a state-champion choir... and these things aren't free.

Money raised at Veritas' annual Ceili (KAY-lee), held each January at Countryside Church in Sherwood, helps defray the cost associated with participating in Concert Choir. As always, the event (similar to square dancing, only Irish) included the local musical talent of Roughly Hewn, a Celtic band led by Sally Mehler, Veritas' music teacher and choir director. Attendees were also treated to an authentic Celtic dance performed by our very own Brittany Harmon-Watilo (see story above).

This year, the Ceili raised over $1,000 that will go toward the Concert Choir's annual trip taking place in April. This year, the group will be heading to Southern Oregon where it will perform at various churches and other venues.

When Tyler Magill graduated from Veritas in 2010, he believed that the classical education he received would positively impact his higher education and beyond, but he didn't realize at the time just how true that belief was.  Tyler completed his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at George Fox and then his Masters in Engineering at Oregon State. Upon graduation he accepted an internship with Engineering Ministries International (EMI) in Uganda. He describes his adventure in his blog, "Magill on a Mission"

Obviously there is much more to this story and it will continue to develop for the next four months. If you'd like, you can continue to follow Tyler's amazing and exciting journey on his blog.

The whole intern gang during a hike near Colorado Springs