Radacadobe

Mrs Fotakis

I would like to nominate Mrs Fotakis. She is a retired professional dancer and teacher who reguarly gives up her time to help out at my dance school. She was once my teacher, Miss Amy's, dance teacher. Mrs Fotakis has been very ill this year and when my mum called to see how she was doing after a very serious operation all Mrs Fotakis wanted to know was how we all did with our eisteddfod items and how we were going with are exam preparation. She said that once she was feeling better she would be at the studio to see us through our exams. This is something she has been doing with our school for many years voluntarily. She is so passionate about dance and so inspiring. When you do a class with her she makes it feel like you are in a bubble and all that is in the bubble is the world of dance. I hope Mrs Fotakis gets better soon! I can't imagine her not being around anymore. Get Better Soon Mrs F. Love Sarah

Nominated by Sarah

Miss Holly Ankucza

Miss Holly has been my teacher since I was three. She is the most amazing teacher. Our studio went through some horrible changes this year - the biggest was Miss Holly having to leave because of a difference of opinion between her and somebody else. Right after that, my little sister and I were asked to leave the dance studio right in the middle of the competitive season, because we were still having contact with Miss Holly. Miss Holly jumped right in, and made arrangements for us to have regular dance classes with her at the local rec centre so that we didn't go from dancing six days a week to none. She helped me work through my anger, hurt and depression with dance. No matter what she was doing or where she was, she dropped everything and met me at the centre. I have been told that I am an amazing ballet dancer - and have a LOT of potential - this is ALL because of Miss Holly - she has encouraged, pushed and encouraged me some more to be THE best possible dancer I can be. Without her, I would NOT be the dancer that I am today. She deserves an award - she is THE BEST TEACHER IN WATERLOO!!!

Note from Mum: Miss Holly truly deserves this award - for more than just the reasons above - she has a love of dance that is so infectious, the kids just can't help but feel the same way. They work so hard for her, and for themselves, that their love of dance shines through. Please consider seriously awarding Miss Holly with this award - she is truly deserving.

Nominated by Dominique

Elsie Seguss

I would like to nominate my teacher: Miss Seguss. Believe it or not she is 92; soon to be 93 in January. She has so much experience and loves to share it with us. She always shares stories with us of when she was a dancer and taking her teachers exams and everything she had to remember. Whenever we dance to a new piece of music she will explain what ballet it's from and if we've never heard of it, she will gladly explain it to us. Although she may not be able to dance she can still lift her leg up to 45 degrees and walks around correcting us. Miss Seguss loves to sit and do our exercises in her mind during class, but you can see what she is seeing and share it with her. She is a brilliant teacher and a great choreographer. She choreographs dancers for us from when we're 3 to... whenever. She can be feisty at times but this is her way of expressing her passion for dance. She is so sweet and only wants what's best for us. We all love her like a grandmother. No-one, not even our parents call her Elsie; it's always Miss Seguss. I cannot express in words what she has done for us and what she means to me. All I know is that she is the greatest teacher there is and one day I want to be just like her.

Nominated by Anthea