Marist Students Win World Irish Dance Competition

Seven Marist High School students were part of an eight-person team that recently finished in first place in The Irish Dancing Commission’s World Championships in Montreal earlier this month.

The girls study with the Lavin-Cassidy School of Irish Dancing, and competed in the senior ladies category. The team members are seniors Erin and Bridget Rickert (West Beverly), Keely Dolan (Hickory Hills), juniors Katie Ross (Palos Heights), Bailey Donnelly (Oak Lawn), and Martina Lee (Lemont), and freshman Grace O’Brien (Palos Heights). The eighth member of their team is Kali McEntee Graziano, a student at Oak Lawn High School. Ross said the team was practicing up to ten hours per week leading up to the world competition.

Additionally, Marist alum Michael Putman ’10 (Oak Lawn) took third place in the world in the category for men ages 19 to 21. Putman dances with Dennehy School of Irish Dance.