Whiz Kid: Abby Conway

Name: Abby Conway
Home: Royal Oak
Age: 16
School: Sophomore at Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills
Accomplishment: Abby Conway recently returned from the World Irish Dancing Championships, which took place April 17-23, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. This was her fourth World Championships qualification and Abby finished in the top half of her competition.

Abby began Irish Dance at age 5 with Michael and Elaine O'Hare at the in Birmingham. Abby has competed on an international level since age 9, when she competed in her first North American Championships and has been to the North American Championships every year since. She also has traveled abroad for the All Ireland Championships and the World Championships seven times.  

Abby's mom, Michele Conway, says the biggest bonus to competing in Irish Dance internationally has been the friends Abby has made from all over the United States, Canada and Ireland. This year's trip to the world championships was made even more special by Abby's extended Irish family, who still live in Dublin.  Abby's family – which also includes sister Allison and dad Sean – stayed at the Dublin Rathgar home of her great-grandmother Lily Carolan Conway, a home that has been in their family for generations.     

Irish Dance is Abby's passion and the discipline and drive has trickled over to her academic life as well. She is an honors student at Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, participates in several leadership clubs and volunteers with the Christ Child House in Detroit.  

Key to awesomeness: Abby says the key to her success is the care and commitment of her dance teachers, her love for the sport and the unlimited support of her family. Keeping the balance between training and studies has been a challenge, but one she is pretty used to by now. Staying on top in Irish Dance can mean giving up a lot socially. To avoid injury that could end her dance career, Abby has chosen to try other sports that do not pose a large injury risk, such as tennis at Marian. Playing tennis with friends and the extra workout and competition is a fun break from her routine.  

"Even though I've been dancing been for so long, the excitement of being on stage and dancing my best never seems to get old," Abby said. "I keep wanting to come back for more, even if things don't go the way I had hoped."

Michael O'Hare, Abby's dance coach, admires her work ethic. "Abby works very hard and never complains about her demanding training schedule," O'Hare said. "She has only missed a few classes over the 11 years I've taught her and she is always available to perform in shows and to help other dancers. I am very proud of her efforts."

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout? How about a school group that worked on a project for charity? Did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honorees.

Royal Oak Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual children, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing kids and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Victoria Mitchell. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name and contact information
• Whiz Kid's name, age and school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)
• Whiz Kid photo(s)