Irish Dance Steps Up St Rose School’s International Week

By Larissa Lytwyn

St Rose of Lima School recently celebrated its school’s cultural diversity with its annual “International Week,” April 26–30.

Students began the week illuminated in ethnic pride, wearing their native countries’ traditional colors. Classrooms, the cafeteria, and recreation fields were a rainbow of reds, whites, greens, blues, and gold.

Classes made a procession to mass carrying flags from countries ranging from Ireland to Italy, Germany to Lithuania.

The week was also highlighted by a performance from the Gray School of Irish Dance’s kindergarten through eighth grade students, featuring several St Rose students.

“Many of the costumes you see are very colorful and ornate, reflecting patterns used in ancient Celt tribes,” noted Gray School founder, instructor Iris Gray Sharnick.

“All [Irish dance] schools have their own colors,” she continued. “I chose blue because it is both Connecticut’s state color and the color of my native Dublin.”

Before the dancers took the stage, Ms Sharnick explained that the performance was planned in lieu of a St Rose recital originally scheduled to coincide with St Patrick’s Day.

The show was cancelled due to rain.

“[Ms Sharnick] does an excellent job,” said Jill D’Alessandro, whose daughter, second grader Kathryn, is a Gray School dancer. “They learn very quickly — Ms Sharnick is a great teacher!”

Martha Brennan, another mother, agreed. “My daughter, [second grader] Carly, really enjoys it!”

Many St Rose students, including fifth graders Emily Marussich, Nicole Nonnenmacher, Colleen Cunningham, and Brittany Mortera, said they loved seeing many of their friends onstage.

“They’re really good!” exclaimed Colleen.

Brittany said she knew several of the dancers, including seventh grader Jackie Fischer.

Emily said that while she enjoyed the Irish step dancing, she wouldn’t be doing it herself any time soon.

“I’m not Irish,” she said. She added that she was Eastern European in heritage. “I take [regular] dancing [lessons] right now,” she continued, “which I like.”

Nicole said that she used to take Irish step dancing but now enjoyed just watching it. “It’s fun to see my friends,” she said.

The dancers performed a combination of jigs and reels; at the end of the show they each introduced themselves, stating their name and grade level.

The audience thanked the girls’ performances with thunderous applause, drawing proud and bashful smiles from several of the younger dancers.

Eighth grader Kevin Troy, who described his background as Irish and Italian, said he was enjoying International Week.

“I love eating Italian food!” he declared. “Especially pasta. Lasagna is my favorite.”

Another eighth grader, Katie Power, who described herself as Irish and German, said that noticing the name “Power” engraved on a Celtic cross once made her feel proud of her heritage.

“It was kind of cool,” she said.

The week was concluded with an international mass; students had the opportunity to don a simple accessory to represent their country of origin. The mass was followed with a parish reception featuring international foods, as well as an on-campus carnival.