Meet some of the members of our Blue and Gold teams

Kaitlin Sullivan Political Science, Notre Dame, 2010 HOMETOWN: Newtown, CT YEARS OF DANCING: 9 DANCE SCHOOL: Gray School of Irish Dance DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: New England Oireachtas Solo and Ceili Medalist, Winner of the Adelaide Gray Memorial Scholarship FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY:" My favorite dance memories are probably the Christmas parties at my dance school doing party ceilis like the Siege of Ennis with everyone. The Notre Dame Pep Rally in the stadium was also a great memory; all that hard work really paid off with a great performance!"	Colleen Nolan Business and Political Science, Notre Dame, 2010 HOMETOWN: Vernon Hills, IL YEARS OF DANCING: 1 DANCE SCHOOL: Sheila Tully School of Irish Dance DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: made it to PC FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Walking around practically every city in the country with huge curlers when I was little and having everyone stare at me like I was crazy. Also, getting my first solo dress."
Mary-Kate Duncan Chemical Engineering & Pre-Medicine, ND, 2010 HOMETOWN: Bloomington, IL YEARS OF DANCING:9 DANCE SCHOOL: Flynn (Peoria, IL) FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Michigan pep rally during my freshman year!"	Megan DeShetler Biology Major, SMC, 2010 HOMETOWN: Lansing, MI YEARS OF DANCING: 16 DANCE SCHOOL: Heinzman Dance
Megan Mohrman Science Pre-Professional & Irish Studies, ND, 2009 HOMETOWN: St. Louis YEARS OF DANCING: 12 DANCE SCHOOL: Mayer School of Irish Dancing (St. Louis and Indiana) DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Preliminary Championship Level FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Dancing in the football pep-rallies at Notre Dame, and just being a part of the dance team in general has made my experience at Notre Dame amazing."	Deirdre Robinett Biology, Saint Mary's College, 2010 HOMETOWN: Cincinnati, Ohio YEARS OF DANCING: 14 DANCE SCHOOL: McGing Irish Dancers DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Oireachtas Champion 2003, 2005, 2006; North American Champion 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007; World Medal Holder 2nd place (2005, 2007) 3rd (2006) FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Favorite Dance Memory in college is dancing my full hornpipe with Katie Grennan in Washington Hall before the Worlds... and our elaborate overly exaggerated stories we would make up to explain why I could not get through it."
Caitlin Mary O'Brien Communications with a double minor in Business and Spanish, 2010 HOMETOWN: Inverness, IL YEARS OF DANCING: 10 DANCE SCHOOL: Trinity Academy DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Placed multiple times at the Mid-West Oireacthas, Qualified and placed multiple times at Nationals, Danced on and placed on teams for the Oireachtas, Toured nationally and internationally with Trinity II (Trinity's Junior Touring group, including but not limiting MLB All Star Games, opening act for Nickelback, international festivals, Irish Fest in Milwaukee, Performances at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Dance! Chicago), Appearances on local television stations on St. Patrick's Day, Dance teacher, and Show Captain for shows FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Getting to know all the awesome people that I've met throughout the years and being able maintain close friendships with many of them. "	Katie Grennan Accountancy/Psychology, ND, 2010 YEARS OF DANCING: 11 DANCE SCHOOL: Burke School-10 years- Trinity-1 year DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Highest Dance Placements: 3rd at 2006 Midwest Oireactas 8th at the 2005 National Irish Dance Championships Recall in individual softshoe round at the 2006 All-Ireland Championships FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "I cannot say any specific memory that jumps out as being my "favorite" dance memory, because I have many moments that were rewarding, exciting, and fun. As far as competing goes, I would have to say my most fufilling competitions were when I did better than I had expected or hoped to do. Still competing as a dancer in colllege has been quite an experience, and I was lucky to have Deirdre and OB to practice with for the Oireachtas, and Deirdre for the worlds...watching her achieve 2nd place after the hard work and sacrifices she put up with was probably one of the most exciting college dancing moments for me! Dancers at Notre Dame are so lucky to have such a large group of fellow dancers who still want to be involved in Irish Dancing, and be in such a quality club at that."
Christine Gallic Nursing, Saint Mary's, 2011 HOMETOWN: Gillette, NJ YEARS OF DANCING: 7 DANCE SCHOOL: Kelly School	Caitlin Walsdorf Biology, ND, 2012 YEARS OF DANCING: 11 DANCE SCHOOL: Mullane-Healy-O?Brien DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Choreography won National Championships 2005, 2007; World Championships 5th FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: " Doing insane amounts of shows around St. Patrick's Day"
Caitlin Alli Business/Anthropology, ND, 2012 HOMETOWN: Bloomfield, MI YEARS OF DANCING: 12 DANCE SCHOOL: Flanagan-O?Hare DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Midwest Oireachtas and Nationals FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Too many to name!"	Mary Kate Fidler Environmental Geosciences, ND, 2012 HOMETOWN: Sonoma, CA YEARS OF DANCING:10 DANCE SCHOOL: Keenan School of Irish Dance FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Every day at dance class with my friends!"
Katie McNelis Pre-Professional & English. ND, 2011 HOMETOWN: Berkeley Heights, NJ YEARS OF DANCING:12 DANCE SCHOOL: Denogla DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Nationals, Open Championships FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Exploring San Diego during nationals with my family and friends and getting to compete and celebrate my birthday on the same day there!""	Carolyn Sever Business, ND 2011 HOMETOWN: Burr Ridge, IL YEARS OF DANCING:14 DANCE SCHOOL: Trinity Academy DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Open Championship; Danced/qualified for Oireachtas and Nationals multiple years, highest ranking: 37th Nationals, 13th Midwest Oireachtas; medals in team dancing; team captain; show captain FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: " I think one of the greatest aspects of dance was being able to meet so many cool people and being able to maintain great friendships with them. As far as memories go though, I can?t think of one favorite moment, but all the Lake Geneva weekends and our awesome carpools are definitely at the top of the list! At ND, I really enjoyed St. Patrick?s Day, starting with dancing at Fiddler?s with Lindsay and Brigid!"
Lindsay Schwartz Science Pre-Professional Studies & Music, ND, 2011 HOMETOWN: Libertyville, IL YEARS OF DANCING: 16 DANCE SCHOOL: Anam Mor DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Open Championship, won Nationals 4 times as a member of ceilis and choreographies, won countless team titles at the Midwest Oireachtas, qualified for the World Championships (8 consecutive years), highest place was 2nd at the Midwest Oireachtas, highest place was 12th at Nationals, toured nationally and internationally with the Trinity Irish Dance Company and the Irish band Comas, contracted choreographer FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "The first time my choreography won Nationals was pretty spectacular. We went up against the best teams in the world that year, and all of our dance teachers told us there was no way we would win after our performance. We kept the faith, though, and when we were called out for 1st place, it felt incredible! Also, as a part of the team here, I definitely enjoyed dancing on St. Pats at Fiddler's with Carolyn and Brigid! So many shenanigans went down that night!"	Mary McKevitt Education, Saint Mary's, 2011 HOMETOWN: Orland Park, IL YEARS OF DANCING:15 DANCE SCHOOL: Lavin Cassidy School of Irish Dance DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Open Championship. top five and top ten at Midwest Irish Dance Championships, first place in Ceili dancing three times at Midwest Irish Dance Championships, sixth in solos and top three for teams at North American Irish Dance championships, fifth place in Ceili?s at the All-Ireland Dance Championships FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "My favorite dance memories were probably spent with team dancing. The feeling of doing well in teams at different championships were probably some of my happiest and proudest moments because it was something that everyone worked hard at together. The friendships made were probably the best part of being an Irish dancer and the memories we had together are irreplaceable.
Caitlin Keilty Pre-Professional & English, ND, 2010 HOMETOWN: Baltimore, MD YEARS OF DANCING: 8 DANCE SCHOOL: Ryan School of Irish Dancing FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Being a blonde at the pep rally!!"	Katie Dufner PLS and Spanish, ND, 2011 HOMETOWN: Short Hills, NJ YEARS OF DANCING: 6 DANCE SCHOOL: Denogla School DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Competed in the Eastern Regional Oireachtas in 2001 (I stopped dancing in 2002). FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Competing in the Oireachtas and also making the Irish Dance team at ND after not dancing for 6 years!"
Shannon Whelan Nursing, Saint Mary's, 2012 HOMETOWN: Naperville, IL YEARS OF DANCING: 13 DANCE SCHOOL: McNulty School DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Preliminary Championship. Dancing at ND basketball games, Chicago Blackhawks games, Chicago Bulls games, performing at Niagara Falls, dancing for the mayor of Waterford, Ireland. FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: ?Going to Ireland with my dance troupe, sightseeing, performing and taking workshops from Irish instructors."	Meg Griffin Math/Political Science, Saint Mary's, 2011 HOMETOWN: Middlebury, IN YEARS OF DANCING: 11 DANCE SCHOOL: World Academy DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Open Level, Oireachtas FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: ?First Oireachtas, when we weren?t allowed to wear any make-up, except for our matching red lipstick."
Danielle Murphy Architecture, ND, 2013 HOMETOWN: Floral Park, NY YEARS OF DANCING: 14 DANCE SCHOOL: Donny Golden School of Irish Dance DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: 22nd at Nationals, 1st in mixed 4-hand at Oireachtas FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: " Dancing with the Chieftans at Carnegie Hall on St. Patrick's Day"	Claire Mundy Biology, ND, 2012 HOMETOWN: Niles, MI YEARS OF DANCING:9 DANCE SCHOOL: World Academy FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Every day at dance class with my friends!"
Katie McNelis Pre-Professional & English. ND, 2011 HOMETOWN: Berkeley Heights, NJ YEARS OF DANCING:12 DANCE SCHOOL: Denogla DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: I quit after 8th grade and I never competed when I danced, so I don?t think any! :) FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Pep rally!""	Emma Kesslerspan History. Anthropology, ND 2012 HOMETOWN: South Bend, IN YEARS OF DANCING:12 DANCE SCHOOL: World Academy DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Firsts in Open level for Slip Jig, Real, and Hornpipe FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: " Going to my first Nationals, and the friendships I have built over the years."
Erin Madison Sociology with minor in Irish Studies. ND 2010 HOMETOWN: Arlington Heights, IL YEARS OF DANCING:12 DANCE SCHOOL: Trinity Academy DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Open Championship, top 15 at Midwest Oireachtas, qualified for multiple Oireachtas and National competitions FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "Winning my first solo dress, carpooling into Chicago for dance classes at Trinity, and running out the tunnel onto the Notre Dame football field during a pep rally freshman year!""	Julie Wamser Engineering and College of Arts and Letters (undecided) double major, ND 2012 HOMETOWN: Brookfield, CT YEARS OF DANCING:11 DANCE SCHOOL: Gray-Gillan-Owens School of Irish Dance DANCE ACHIEVEMENTS: Nationally and World-qualified; 48th All-Irelands 2008; 20th Nationals 2008 FAVORITE DANCE MEMORY: "A memory I love is recalling in both soft shoe and hard shoe round and placing overall at the All-Ireland Irish Dance Championships in Killarney 2008. It was an incredibly exciting and amazing experience! I have fond memories of dance throughout my entire life, including St. Patrick's Day shows and the Greater Danbury Irish Festival every year. I love joining in shared culture and heritage and plenty of Irish dancing with people I love for a long weekend!"
Amanda Carter Graphic Design & German, Notre Dame 2012 Hometown: Herndon, VA Years of Dancing: 13 (including ballet, American tap and Irish) Dance School: O'Neill-James School of Irish Dance