Cienna DeLuca, 9, had judges in a spin at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Long Beach, California, bringing home eight medals — including six gold. Mother Amanda DeLuca said the St Michael’s Primary School pupil was one of five dancers to earn a 30-day scholarship to return to the US next year.
She needed some help getting there but Cienna DeLuca repaid the community’s favour in spades at the World Championships of Performing Arts in July.
“Seeing her up there on that huge stage was amazing,” Ms DeLuca said. “It’s like the Olympics of dance.”
Cienna also performed well at the Kids Artists Revue championships in Las Vegas the week before, top scoring in the lyrical section.
The Blacktown family held several fundraising events to cover the huge costs associated with the competition, including flights and entry.
St Michael's Blacktown dancer Cienna De Luca has dominated at the World Championships of Performing Arts. Pictures: Flavio Brancaleone
She was awarded a scholarship to go to dance in LA for the month of July next year. Blacktown Council donated its Nirimba Room to the family for a trivia night in April, while the DeLucas ran seven barbecues at Woolworths and sold chocolates to help Cienna achieve her dream.
“In all we raised about $12,000 to $13,000,” Ms DeLuca said.
Cienna’s performance was remarkable considering she has variable immune deficiency and benign joint hypermobility syndrome and requires regular blood transfusions and physiotherapy.
Ms DeLuca thanked the community for its contribution to Cienna’s success.
Cienna is also nominee for the Advocate’s Local Sports Stars Awards.
Read the full article on line at the Blacktown Advocate
