By Esther Lauaki
Ella’s a national dancing champion and her biggest fans are her sisters Abbey and Molly.
The trio, who all dance at Ravenhall’s K and K Calisthenics, competed earlier this month at the Follow Your Dreams national competition in Melbourne which included clubs from interstate and New Zealand.
Eleven-year-old Ella, who has Down syndrome, took home the title for the solo dancer with a disability section performing to a medley of her favourite songs from the movie
The Greatest Showman.
Club welcoming officer Leanne McKenner, who has more than 40 years dance experience, said Ella was proud to come away with a trophy that was “almost as tall as her”.
“This is Ella’s fourth year at calisthenics and it’s a good outlet for her and all three sisters do it together,” Ms McKenner said.
“She has so much fun … calisthenics has a good variety of different dance elements and it gives you confidence.”
Ella’s younger siblings both competed in duos, Abbey, 10, and eight-year-old Molly earned honourable mentions.
The club had 20 dancers competing at the event with eight members also winning the masters troop section for dancers 30 and over.
Masters dancer Jacqui Kent also won the solo section for her division.
