Aberdeen trophy is latest for Samantha in string of titles
A talented Renfrewshire girl is dancing her way to success.
Samantha Parker, 10, has just taken part in a leading dance contest and won the pre-champs section in Highland dancing, which is the latest in a string of awards for her.
A pupil of St Fillan’s Primary School, in Houston, the youngster has been dancing since this age of three and hopes to make a career of it when she grows up.
She said: “I really like my experience and what I’ve done in it.
“I love it when we all warm up, because we’re all having fun.
“And then, when we start dancing, it just gets better. It’s a blast and it’s the most fun ever.”
But the modest Houston youngster played down her skill in Highland dancing, following her latest success at the Aberdeen City Championship.
“I feel nervous at the beginning,” she said. “When I dance I feel really excited because I just love it so much.”
And Samantha has her sights set on the future.
“I want to become a professional dancer and to enter more competitions, so I can train more.
“I can get more trophies if I keep on learning.”
Samantha is so dedicated to Highland dancing that she wants to stick with this if she realises her dream and becomes a professional dancer when she is older.
“I think I would just stick with my Highland, since I wasn’t really into ballet when I was little,” she said.
“And I’m not actually quite sure about musicals.
“Highland is my favourite type of dance so far.”
The sense of community and friendship you get from dancing is a big part of the appeal of Highland to Samantha.
“I like having my pals there with me and also I like it when my friends get a good result, and I can say well done to them and all those kinds of things.
“And they do the same to me. If I win a first, or a trophy, or anything like that. “And it keeps me very fit.” Samantha added: “I would really like to become a champion so that I could go to Australia and dance in