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A River Heights resident’s passion for Irish dancing earned her a scholarship.
Ripley Havens, 17, received the 2021 Mark and Dorothy Danzker Excellence Fellowship, an annual award for the preservation of ethnocultural heritage. The scholarship honors the memory of philanthropist and former Winnipeg city councilor Mark Danzker and his wife, Dorothy.
The $ 1,000 scholarship is awarded to eight students between the ages of 17 and 25 pursuing post-secondary education. Winners are selected on the basis of volunteer work in a cultural activity within the community, GPA and a demonstrated passion for preserving cultural heritage, whether through volunteer work or employment.
Havens discovered his love for Irish dancing when he was just two years old. She tried soccer, skating and acting as a child, but nothing came close to her passion for dancing.
Havens’ mother was an actively involved dance teacher in Folklorama, so Havens was part of the festival’s Irish pavilion from five to eight years old. She has also performed at the UK Pavilion and continues to volunteer at the two-week event each August, which she called “the highlight of her year”.
“Dancing is an integral part of my life and Folklorama is a family tradition,†Havens said.
Havens began his involvement in competitive dance seven years ago and has since traveled all over the world to attend festivals and competitions with his troupe. She has participated in two CIOFF festivals in Peru and North Carolina and has been to Ireland twice to dance on a world stage. She has also competed in regional and national competitions in the United States
The Mark and Dorothy Danzker Merit Scholarship was a well-suited scholarship for her, Havens said. She was delighted to hear that she had won and immediately broke the good news to her mother.
“Being involved with Folklorama is such a time and it’s amazing to have the opportunity to receive something,†Havens said. “I am so grateful to have won. It’s a wonderful way to give back to those who have shared their culture in Winnipeg.
Havens said the cash prize will be used towards tuition fees for the next school year. The dancer is currently enrolled in the science program at the University of Manitoba, but is considering getting into biochemistry.
“I’m hoping to get into medical school, maybe anesthesia,†Havens said. “But you never know, plans change all the time.”
Havens plans to continue dancing and competing throughout his post-secondary education.
More information on Folklorama and the Mark and Dorothy Danzker Merit Scholarship can be found at www.folklorama.ca
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