Gemma ‘s got those winning, dancing feet!

A PUPIL of Lord Williams’s school in Thame has won First place in a National dancing competition.

Gemma Strathdee, 15, who lives in Chinnor, won the Under 16’s Silver/Gold Disco, Freestyle Pairs Competition at the National Grand Finals Disco Medallist Festival Competition on October 11, 2009, held at Guildford Spectrum. Gemma and her partner, Melissa Mairs from Stokenchurch, danced through four heats to gain their 1st Place. Gemma also danced solo through three heats and gained a third place in the Under 16’s Silver Disco Solo Freestyle Competition.

Gemma has danced with the Shona Clack School of Dance, based in Princes Risborough, since she was seven years old and has also recently started to attend classes in Thame. She dance or trains four nights of the week.

Today Gemma told ThameNews.Net: “I was shocked to win; it’s so difficult to even get to the competition and to win is just amazing.”

Gemma’s classes include ISTD Disco, Rock and Roll, Latin American and IDTA Ballet and Tap, and she has taken examinations in Disco, Rock and Roll and Latin American every year since she began dancing.

Apart from examinations, Gemma competes at the ISTD Disco Freestyle Faculty Regional Competitions throughout the year to try to qualify and gain a place at the National Grand Finals Disco Medallist Festival Competition. This year was the second year she qualified, by gaining a first place at the Regional Compeititon in Chippenham.

Talented Gemma also dances with her dance school at local fetes, including Longwick Fete and Oakley Fete, and takes part in their Christmas Show in December.

In July this year, 2009, she took part in her school Work Experience week by joining Shona Clack at the Dance School for a week, and following this was awarded Lord Williams’s School Gold Award and Special Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to the school and the work placement.

Gemma’s ambition is to eventually become a dancing teacher herself.

Photo: Gemma (right) and her partner, Melissa (left) in their costumes which they designed themselves. Gemma’s mum sewed all the Sworoski crystals on the outfits!