The Irish Dancers' Miss America: Catching up with Betty Thompson

This time last year, Irish dancers worldwide were cheering for Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma, as she competed on the Miss America stage. With style, grace, and a fabulous Irish dance for her talent, Betty finished first runner up to Miss America 2012. Although Betty didn't end up taking home the Miss America crown, she certainly won the hearts of Irish dancers in the states and across the globe. After her success at Miss America, Betty returned to the feis circuit and qualified for the 2013 World Championships in Boston. Lucky for us, she took some time out of her very busy schedule to answer some questions for her adoring fans.

Betty and Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler,
waiting for the winning results to be announced.   

On My Toes Blog: In less than a calendar year, you've not only placed first runner up to Miss America 2012, but also qualified for the 2013 World Championships of Irish Dance. Did you ever imaging reaching those two milestones so close to one another?

Betty Thompson: Certainly not! When I decided to get serious about capturing the Miss Oklahoma title, I decided it was time to hang up my competition shoes. However, after I crowned the new Miss Oklahoma in June it hit me that I didn’t currently have something I was striving to achieve (aside from my degree at OSU {Oklahoma State University}) and I didn’t like that realization. Ever since I began competing in Irish dance at the age of 12 I have been working towards a goal, and then my goal became Miss America. I decided in mid-August to start dancing again for exercise and a week after that made the decision to compete in the Oklahoma Feis. I borrowed a dress and had so much fun competing again that I decided to go on to the Oireachtas. Two and a half short months later I found myself on the SRO {Southern Region Oireachtas} stage and loved every moment of it. Of course I wanted to qualify for the Worlds, but I wasn’t sure if I had been back long enough for it to happen! I’m beyond excited and feeling so blessed.

A vision in white on the Miss America stage:
Betty in her Johnathan Kayne evening gown

OMTB: You dazzled us in a custom Johnathan Kayne gown at Miss America this year, and have recently been spotted at the Southern Region Oireachtas in a new Gavin Doherty solo costume. How involved are you in the design process of these fabulous dresses?

BT: I was very involved in the design of my talent costume for Miss Oklahoma and Miss America. Jonathan Kayne is so much fun to work with and he really captures your personality and is able to portray that in his designs. I gave him a basic idea of what I wanted (high neck, emerald green and a form fitting bodice), he envisioned and created something far more beautiful than my expectations! I was THRILLED that Gavin Doherty agreed to make my solo dress for SRO, especially on such short notice. I think what makes a Gavin dress so wonderful is that his ideas and creativity are endless. I didn't want to restrict that in any way. I just told him I wanted something modern, appropriate for a senior lady and the colors I had worn in the past. As with Kayne, the end result was amazing and I can’t wait to wear it in Boston!

Looking stunning in her new Gavin after securing her spot at Worlds!
Southern Region Oireachtas 2012

OMTB: Fake tan, loads of makeup, and massive wigs can give people the wrong impression about Irish dancers. What does your feis-look say about you?

BT: My feis look says you get what you see, which was the same impression I wanted to give on the Miss America stage. I’m blessed to have olive skin so I stay naturally tan year round-for that reason I don’t have to wear fake tan. I do wear more makeup on stage than I would on an average day, but I certainly don’t take it to an extreme. I also wear a bun wig versus a full wig. I just feel that as a senior lady it’s a little softer and since I’m so petite I don’t feel like my face gets lost in the curls! Not to mention that I could use all the help in the height department that I can get. :-)

Betty with Rebekah Roberts, McTeggart TCRG, after her

success at the Southern Region Oireachtas

OMTB: Do you have any tips for looking put-together on stage at a feis or major competition?

BT: One of the biggest similarities between competing in Irish dance and competing in a pageant is the stage presence. My dance teacher, Maureen McTeggart Hall, instilled in me at a young age that confidence on stage was key. The way I held my body and head said a lot about my belief in my own ability. Having that confident look on stage no matter what you’re competing in draws attention!

OMTB: You've already competed at Worlds numerous times, and brought home an All-Ireland's medal. Do you have any goals for this year's competition?

BT: I would love to medal at Worlds this year. I have a lot of work to do in the next few months and I feel like I’m behind my competition already in preparation time but I no longer believe that anything is impossible with hard work. It’s one of the main reasons I came back, that goal you just can’t let go of!

Betty's talent, set to "Warriors" from Lord of the Dance,
earned a Preliminary Talent Award at Miss America 2012

OMTB: How did your talent choreography in Miss America influence your performance style when you began competing in feiseanna again?

BT: It was actually a really hard adjustment! I became accustomed to the dramatic affect of my talent at Miss OK and Miss America (thanks to my incredible choreographer, Jason Hays, McTeggart North TX), being able to “play” with the audience and ultimately getting a standing ovation at the end of almost all of my performances in a pageant ....and I had to remember that’s NOT reality for a competitive Irish dancer! The judges at Oireachtas and Worlds are not “wowed” by my performance like the Miss America judges and audience were and they are literally picking apart my every move. It’s back to strictly Irish dancing technique!

Something tells me Betty knows core
strength is great for Irish dancing! 

OMTB: Prepping for Miss America vs. Worlds: will you practice more for Worlds? How will your preparations change?

BT: That’s a tough comparison simply because when you take on the job of Miss Oklahoma, you drop EVERYTHING else. No school, no job. Your job IS Miss Oklahoma, multiple appearances (3-5) on a daily basis and preparing for Miss America in off-time. There were multiple phases to prepare for and that made it difficult at times. However, in preparing for Worlds, I feel more pressure than I did in preparing for Miss A. I’m back in school taking 17 hrs, working in the marketing department of the Oklahoma State University Foundation, continuing to travel the country for appearances and speaking engagements and finally making time to train for Worlds! It’s certainly a struggle, but where there’s a will there’s a way! :-)

OMTB: Why should Irish dancers compete in the Miss America Organization? How can they get involved?

BT: The Miss America Organization is the world’s leading scholarship provider for women making available over $4 mil in scholarship every year. The need for scholarship is what drew me to the pageant scene my sophomore year of college and in my short time competing in Miss Oklahoma and Miss America, I've been awarded over $90,000 in scholarships! But the other major perk to competing is that you get to share your talent and love of Irish dancing while promoting it! I've been thrilled by the dozens of messages I received post Miss America about little girls beginning in Irish dance because they watched me on TV!

Thank you, Betty, for giving us a little insight into your journey as Miss Oklahoma and in Irish dance. Irish dancers are lucky to have such a beautiful, intelligent, and talented young woman representing us all. We'll be rooting for you at Worlds this year! 

Don't forget to tune into Miss America, airing this Saturday, January 12th at 9:00pm est. on ABC! 

Keep Dancing,
Moira

Irish dancing her way to the Crown: Interview with Miss Delaware, Maria Cahill

Maria Cahill has more than a few impressive accomplishments under her belt as an Irish dancer. An Open Champion dancer for the Ryan-Kilcoyne School of Irish Dance in Delaware, Maria has not only competed at Worlds multiple times, but has placed 16th and 22nd! Back in January, Maria was one of three Irish dancers to compete for the title of Miss America this January, representing the great state of Delaware. Although she didn't walk away with the crown, she did walk away with a non-finalist talent win! 


As Miss Delaware, Maria represented Irish dancers worldwide beautifully at the 2012 Miss America Scholarship Pageant. She was even featured in a clip about the Miss America pageant on Good Morning America! Check out her amazing footwork in the a capella routine she performed on the Tim Qualls Show: 

LOVE her solo dress, and sophisticated natural hairstyle!

I was lucky enough to email Maria about her experiences at Miss America and in Irish dancing. Keep reading for more on pageantry, solo dresses, evening gowns, and more... 

Maria performing her award-winning talent at Miss America 2012

On My Toes Blog: What was Irish dancing on the Miss America Stage like?

 Maria Cahill: It was incredible! It was my first time Irish Dancing on a national stage in about 5 years, so I was excited to get out there and show America what I could do.  It was awesome to see the judges, especially Mark Ballas (from Dancing with the Stars) bobbing his head with my rhythm.  My favorite part, as weird as it sounds, was the end.  As I stood in my last pose, I knew it was the best I had danced and felt so proud of myself!

OMTB: What gave you more “butterflies,” competing in Miss America or at the Worlds?

MC: I would say they both gave me equal amounts of butterflies.  However, I had worked hard for both, so when I finally was at both huge events, I knew that I was as ready as I would ever be, and for that reason, was not really all that nervous.

OMTB: What is your favorite Irish dancing memory?

MC: I have so many fond memories, like those of dancing at the World Championships.  However, one favorite memory that I will never forget goes back to my Prelim days.  I was coming back off a horrible foot injury, had one first in prelims and had to compete at the Delaware Feis against over 30 other girls and boys.  I hadn't danced, or even put on my shoes for that matter, in months!  Somehow (I don't think I will ever know how...), I managed to win the entire thing, securing my place in Open Championships!  I think my mouth dropped to the floor after I was announced as the winner!

Maria rocking the Miss America stage in her evening gown!
Think your solo dress weighs a ton? Her MacDuggal Couture gown weighs 25 pounds!

OMTB: Your evening gown for Miss America was stunning! What would be more exciting to you, getting a new designer  gown or a custom solo dress?

MC: Both were very exciting, but nothing will ever top the feeling of getting a brand new solo dress.  A lot of evening gowns can tend to look similar, but a new, custom solo dress is 100% your own!

OMTB: How has your experience in pageants effected your dancing?

MC: It has definitely improved my posture!  I am 5'8" and after going through a serious growth spurt in highschool, my posture for dancing never was as good as it once was.  Having to walk with great posture definitely carried over to my dancing...thank goodness!

OMTB: Would you recommend that Irish dancers compete in pageants?

MC: Absolutely!!! Talent is tied for the top scoring phase of competition so it is so important.  If you have a great talent, you have already won half of the battle!  Because Irish Dancing it so different, it catches the judges' attention.  If you love to Irish Dance, can hold an intelligent conversation, and love helping people, getting in to the Miss America Organization is 100% for you.

Meeting a future-Irish dancer at a St. Patrick's Day performance
...Love this sweet picture, and that gorgeous open-back costume!

OMTB: Where do you see your future in dance? Do you plan to teach, open your own school, or just enjoy dancing?

MC: Right now, I help teach one of the branches of the Ryan-Kilcoyne School of Irish Dance and absolutely love it!!! Those kids have become like family to me and can never picture myself leaving.  After I have finished college, I would definitely consider getting my TCRG!

Maria with one of her students at the 2011 Delaware Feis 

OMTB: You took a break from competing due to an injury. Was getting back into competition shape difficult? 

MC: I am still debating on actually competing at Nationals or waiting for the Oireachtas.  Regardless, I cannot wait to compete again.  Getting back intp shape was one of the hardest things I have had to do.  Irish Dancing takes more stamina than anything I have ever done...that says a lot coming from an athlete!  Not only does it take a lot of work, but it was a little frustrating.  Knowing I was once in excellant shape and having to work countless hours to get back to the shape I was once in took a lot of patience and hard work.  Winning the Non-Finalist talent award became my favorite part of my Miss America experience!

After winning Non-Finalist Talent at Miss America... nice trophy!

OMTB: What advice would you give to other 20something dancers?

MC: It's not over!!!! If you love it, stick with it. Over the past year, I have rediscovered why I first fell in love with Irish Dance and you can too!


This weekend, Maria will crown a new Miss Delaware! I know she'll have much success her future endeavors, Irish dancing and otherwise. Thank you, Maria, for being a beautiful, kind, intelligent, and talented representative for Irish dancers worldwide! 

More from Maria and the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization:

Maria's Official Miss Delaware Blog

Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization [official website]

@MissDelaware11 [Maria on twitter]

Keep Dancing,

Moira

Don't forget to enter to win a pair of Iconic by John Carey Hard shoes! 

Click here to enter!

Irish Dancing her way to the Crown: Betty Thompson to crown a new Miss Oklahoma

Back in January, Irish dancers worldwide fell in love with Miss Oklahoma, Betty Thompson, as she competed for the 2012 Miss America crown. Betty was one of three Irish dancers in the running for the prestigious, four-pointed crown, along with Maria Cahill [Miss Delaware] and Katy Lovegreen [Miss Alaska]. She ended up one of the last two standing, and was first runner-up to Laura Kaelepper, Miss America 2012. She may not have won the crown, but she certainly became the Irish Dancers' Miss America! She stole our hearts, and walked away with a Preliminary Talent win, and $25,000 to further her education.

Love that Betty talks about the TCRG exam in this video, by Miss America's Sponsor, Express.

Irish dancers could not have asked for a better ambassador to our art form than Betty. She is beautiful, intelligent, personable, eloquent, and down-right adorable...not to mention talented to boot! Her Miss America talent was choreographed by fellow McTeggart Irish dancer [and World Champion!], Jason Hays. Set to "Warriors" from Lord of the Dance, Betty truly impressed the judges and wowed Irish dancers & audiences worldwide as she danced her heart out [and one of her mics right off her shoe] on the Miss America stage.  

Betty was simply stunning in her Miss America talent costume, but she can capture an audience in bare feet and a crown too! Here she is, at one of her many appearances as Miss Oklahoma: 

Irish dancing in a crown without shoes? Love it! #oldschool

This weekend, Betty will crown a new Miss Oklahoma. One of the 45 beautiful Miss Oklahoma hopefuls will certainly have some big shoes to fill! Best of luck to Betty, and thank you for representing all Irish dancers as you embodied style, service, scholarship, and success as Miss Oklahoma!

Betty & Jason dancing a duet June 7, 2012 at Miss Oklahoma preliminary competitions
....I can only imagine that it was phenomenal!  

 40th Anniversary Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant

More from the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant & Betty:
Miss Oklahoma [official website]
Betty's Official Miss Oklahoma Blog
@BjtDancer [Betty on twitter]

Keep Dancing,
Moira 

Irish Dancing their way to the Crown: Miss America 2012 Reaction

And then there were two...
The last two contestants standing at the 2012 Miss America pageant were opera singer, Miss Wisconsin, Laura Kaeppeler, and Irish dancer, Miss Oklahoma, Betty Thompson. 



Our new Miss America 2012 is... not an Irish dancer. However, Laura Kaeppeler is stunning, intelligent, and talented. She will be a fabulous representative as Miss America 2012...but back to the Irish dancers.

As the pageant began, Betty was off to a smashing start. She had already won the judges over, who selected Betty as a preliminary talent winner, accounting for 35% of her score before the televised finals on Saturday night. As Chris Harrison [host of TV's "The Bachelor"] announced the semi-finalists he began with the coveted "America's Choice" spot. The America's Choice winner was voted for online by fans. Who was America's Choice? None other than our own Irish dancing queen, Betty!  She was joined by 14 other state titleholders, including my hometown favorite, Miss Florida, Kristina Janolo. Neither Miss Alaska, Katy Lovegreen, nor Miss Delaware, Maria Cahill [the other two Irish Dancers competing for the crown] made the semi-finals. 


The semi-finalists quickly scampered off stage to change into their Komplique  swimsuits. Komplique is the official swimwear sponsor for Miss America, and I absolutely loved the contemporary, flattering suits worn by the contestants. In my opinion, these were the best looking swimsuits worn on the Miss America stage in years! Betty quickly proved that Irish dancing does a body good! Her 5'2'' frame could not have looked better as she dazzled the judges in swimwear. 

Proof that Irish dancing is great for the core!

As the top 12 contestants were announced to move onto evening wear, Betty was called last... which was incredibly stressful for those of us watching from home! I think Team Betty collectively held our breath until Miss Oklahoma's name was finally announced. Her exquisite white, crystal embellished evening gown was designed and custom made by Project Runway's Jonathan Kayne. The gown's design was influenced by Betty's interest in Greek mythology. Betty's goddess inspired gown not only showed off her tiny waist and hourglass figure, but definitely had enough bling to compete with a Gavin any day. 

Betty *sparkled* in evening gown... 

and not just because of the rhinestones. 

Following the evening gown phase of competion, the top 12 contestants rushed to change into their talent costumes. Betty could be seen tying her hard shoes onstage, waiting for her name to be called. The reality-TV style talent phase of competition left no time for Betty [as well as the other dancers and singers] to warm up. Although drama and suspense increase ratings and interest, I hated that the contestants were informed whether or not they were going to perform their talents after they were already dressed and onstage. My own Miss Florida, Kristina Janolo, was the first to be told that she would not be performing her talent and moving on to the top 10. I will say, however, that both she and Miss South Carolina, Bree Boyce, handled their eliminations from the competition with true Southern grace. Luckily for Betty, she went on to perform her talent! 

Betty's Irish dance routine was set to "Warriors" from Lord of the Dance. Jason Hays, a fellow McTeggart dancer, helped choreograph the routine. On top of being a World Champion, Jason has toured with Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames. If you ask me, Betty's charismatic and technically excellent performance should have scored her straight 10's from the judges [but perhaps I'm a bit biased]! On top of that, she managed to dance her routine on one of the slipperiest floors I've seen [I swear you could see her reflection in it!] and danced with such intensity that one of her shoe mics partially came off her heel. I also loved that while Betty was preparing to begin her performance, a home video of a young Betty dancing a light jig was being shown behind her. That may be the first time a light jig made it to the Miss America stage :)

Look at that smile! She has so much to be proud of!

Betty went on top the top five where she answered her onstage question thoughtfully and concisely. And then it was time for the announcement of Miss America 2012! 

The top five awaiting crowning... my mantra during this time?

"PleasepickBettyPleasepickBettyPleasepickBetty"

Irish dancers worldwide were rooting for one of our own, Betty Thompson, to win the 91st Miss America Pageant. When Miss Wisconsin was announced as the winner, Betty graciously and genuinely congratulated Laura, with her gorgeous smile still on her beautiful face. Although Betty did not go home with the crown, she definitely stole our hearts. As one Irish dancer so eloquently tweeted, "She is the Brogan of the pageant." Betty may have ended up as 1st Runner Up, but she will always be our Irish dancing Miss America. She has a lot to be proud of, and even more to be smile about. On top of the priceless memories she'll take home from the Miss America pageant, she also earned a $25,000 scholarship to further her education! 

Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler, and her Runners Up

Miss Arizona, Jennifer Sedler/ Miss Oklahoma, Betty Thompson/ 

Miss New York, Kaitlin Monte / Miss California, Noelle Freeman 

And the good news doesn't end with Betty! Miss Delaware, Maria Cahill, won the non-finalist talent award with her Irish dance! The Irish dancing community has much to be proud of. We were represented well at Miss America 2012. Congratulations to Betty, Maria, and our new Miss America!   

- Moira

Irish Dancing their way to the Crown: Miss America 2012

More than a handful of Irish Dancers have graced the Miss America stage over the years.  Not only are these young women beautiful, talented, and college educated, they clearly have the best talent ever. What audience doesn't LOVE when an Irish dancer walks out on stage? As a former pageant contestant and life-long Irish dancer, I always root for the few Irish dancers that are vying for the crown. In recent years, Miss Virigina 2010 and my state's own Miss Florida 2009 performed Irish dance as their Miss America talents. 

Miss Virginia 2010: Caitlin Uze

Miss Florida 2009: Rachael Todd

While I love the all Irish dancers and really enjoy seeing them compete for the prestigious Miss America crown, the 2012 Miss America Pageant marks an exciting milestone for Irish dancers. Instead of the occasional Irish dancer competing for the crown, three state titleholders will be performing an Irish dance as their talent! This year Miss Alaska, Miss Delaware, and Miss Oklahoma will be bringing the luck of the Irish all the way to Las Vegas for this year's pageant. I hope to see all three ladies when Miss America airs on ABC this Saturday, January 14th at 9pm! 

Miss Alaska 2011: Katy Lovegreen
Age: 21
Platform: Speak Out: Promoting Public Speaking and Debate Programs for Youth
Miss America Talent: Irish dance to "Stereo Love"
Dance Stats: Katy dances for Northern Lights Celtic Dancers, instructed by Pat Hall TCRG-ADCRG.
My Thoughts: Katy is a lovely dancer. I watched her perform at the 2010 National Sweetheart pageant in Hoopeston Illinois, where she was Miss Alaska's Sweetheart. Good luck Katy!  

Katy dancing at Miss America 2012

Miss Delaware 2011: Maria Cahill
Age: 20
Platform: Project 16-26: Drive Safe, Drive Smart
Miss America Talent: Irish dance to "Riverdance"
Dance Stats: Maria danced for the Burke-Conroy School of Irish Dance (Pittsburgh, PA) and currently dances for the Ryan-Kilcoyne School of Irish Dance in Delaware, where she is also a teacher. Maria is not only a world qualifier, but also placed 16th and 22nd at the World Championships! You can read more about Maria's experience in Irish dance at her Miss Delaware Blog. She also posted a great video of she and her 6 brothers and sisters performing together!
My Thoughts: Maria looks like the real deal to me. She's gorgeous, and placed at Worlds twice. What more could the judges want? I love the costume she wore at Miss America as well! The open back makes the dress contemporary. Love it! I really hope a video of her talent routine turns up on YouTube soon.  

Maria Dancing at Miss America 2012

I love the open back of her costume! 

Miss Oklahoma 2011: Betty Thompson 
***Preliminary Talent Winner, Miss America 2012***
Age: 23
Platform: Milk: It really does a body good
Miss America Talent: Irish dance to "Warriors" from Lord of the Dance

Dance Stats: Betty dances for the McTeggart Irish Dancers. She has competed in at the World Championships 5 times, as well as 4 times at the All-Irelands. Betty was also the first Oklahoman to come home with a medal from the All-Irelands! She has also performed with the Cheiftans, Eileen Ivers, and Natalie McMaster. Betty currently teaches private lessons, and plans to earn her TCRG in the future! 
My Thoughts: Betty has a legitimate chance of being crowned Miss America 2012. As a World's competitor and All-Ireland medal holder, she's clearly got technique to spare. On top of that, she looks to be the type of dancer that commands the stage. She is simultaneously cute as a button and stunning, in an All-American girl way. The judges have already shown they love her by awarding her a Preliminary Talent Award. She won a beautiful Miss America trophy and a $2,000 scholarship. I really hope to see Betty on TV Saturday night! Even better if the night ends with a crown atop her brunette locks. Below is a video of Betty and Preliminary swimsuit winner, Miss Texas, Kendall Morris, after winning their prelim awards at Miss America Wednesday night. You can watch Betty dancing a short portion of her routine and accepting her award. You can see her flawless technique even in those few moments! 

Betty was also interviewed by her local news after winning Miss Oklahoma, and can be seen dancing a bit here.

Betty dancing her WINNING
talent routine at Miss America 2012

Betty dancing at Miss Oklahoma...
Seriously, how lovely is she?

I love the creativity and stage presence that Miss America contestants bring to Irish dance, not to mention the fabulous costumes they all wear! Betty Thompson has already won a preliminary talent award, so her chances of being in the finals is off to a great start! Best of luck to all three Irish dancers competing for the crown this year! 


Don't forget to tune into the 2012 Miss America Pageant, this Saturday, January 14th at 9pm on ABC! 


- Moira


PS: I can't finish this post without wishing Miss Florida, Kristina Janola, best of luck as well! She might not be an Irish dancer, but boy is this girl talented! I've had the pleasure of meeting her through pageants in Florida. Not only is she beautiful, but also sweet and intelligent. Below is her winning performance at Miss Florida 2011.