Coronavirus derails Penn-Trafford student's dreams of competing in Irish dancing world championship

A Penn Township teenager’s dreams of competing in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Ireland next month were dashed when the U.S. government imposed a 30-day ban on travel to the Republic of Ireland in hopes of slowing the spread of the coronavirus that causes covid-19.

“I was pretty devastated. It was real disappointing,” said Jordyn Haynes, a 17-year-old junior at Penn-Trafford High School, who had been practicing since mid-December for the world championships set for April 5 to 12. The competition has not been canceled, but Haynes believes it only will be a matter of time before the organizers decide to cancel it, like so many other activities in the age of coronavirus.

Before the travel ban was instituted, Haynes said “it means the world to me to be representing my region (Mid-Atlantic), my country and my (dancing) school,” referring to the Bell School of Irish Dance in Warrendale.

Haynes qualified for the world championships by placing 11th in her age category at the North American Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia, in July and by placing third out of 110 dancers from the region in the Ladies ages 17 and younger classification in the Mid-America region competition in Louisville, Ky., over the Thanksgiving holiday.

As much as it is disappointing not to compete against other Irish dancers from around the world, Haynes, who has been in training for the World Championships since mid-December, said it will give her “a good opportunity to rest and recover.”

Haynes, who studies and trains under Julia Bell at the Bell School of Irish Dance, said she will prepare for the North American national competition that will be held in Nashville, Tenn., in July. To qualify for the world championships in 2021, she will have to place in about the top 13% in the national or Mid-Atlantic regional competition.

Haynes started Irish dancing at age 4 and competing when she was 5. Her mother, Kristen Haynes, recalls that when Jordyn was a youngster, she wanted to watch famed Irish dancer Michael Flatley.

“I watched Riverdance as my bedtime show,” Haynes said. Her mother said that, at a young age, she said she wanted to be part of that Riverdance experience.

Haynes began dancing at the Burke-Conroy School of Irish Dance in 2007, and has competed at many local feisanna — competitions — on local, regional and international levels. Dancers must progress through five different levels of Irish dance, exhibiting mastery of required dances — reel, slip jig, light jig, hornpipe and treble jig — to advance.

Because the skilled dancers are moving their feet while keeping their upper body straight, “it looks a lot easier than it really is,” Haynes said. To do it well, the dancer must be both artistic and athletic, and combine that with a mental toughness to coordinate all the necessary steps and footwork.

“I really enjoy the strength and athleticism,” of Irish dancing, she said.

She considered quitting Irish dancing four years, after going through a rough patch in 2014 and 2015. She also had to work through a foot injury.

Haynes rebounded to qualify for the World Championship of Irish Dance in Edinburgh, Scotland 2018. She qualified for the 2019 World Championship at Greensboro, N.C., in April 2019, where she placed 39th in her age group.

Because of Irish dancing, “I’ve been really lucky enough to visit Scotland and see Edinburgh,” and Scottish castles, Haynes said. Irish dancing also has taken her to British Columbia.

Haynes juggles her schoolwork with her Irish dancing and activities at school. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Historical Society, Active Minds, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Women in Science.

“It’s definitely a struggle at times,” Haynes said,

She also lettered twice on Penn-Trafford’s track and field team, competing in the triple jump and hurdles. Some of the movements helped her get in shape for dancing, while other movements were at odds with what she has to do in Irish dancing, Haynes said. She decided to forego the sport this school year.

Haynes does not plan to give up dance when she graduates from high school next year.

“I hope to be able to be in shows. I feel Irish dancing will always be part of my life,” Haynes said.