If you ask 17-year-old Lydia Davidson what makes her happy, she will most likely say it's Highland dancing.
It's no surprise because she has been kicking up her heels since the age of seven with the Wee Walker's Highland Dance group in 100 Mile House and competing since she was nine.
Davidson competes in the Premier 16 years and over division, which is the highest category in Highland dance competition. She climbed the ropes from Beginners through Novice and Intermediate to Premier with a lot of hard work and dedication to her craft.
In order to move up to each higher level, she had to place third or higher six times in competitions at each level. She did so quite handily, winning many awards, including aggregates along the way.
Her most recent awards came at the Central Interior Dance Association Highland Dance Competition held Nov. 3 in Prince George, where she won first place in the Highland Fling and the Blue Bonnets, and second in Highland Laddie and Irish Jig.
She recalls her first dance competition where she left empty-handed and with her expectations squashed.
"I was in Grade 4 and I was really sad at that first one because I didn't place."
There are four categories of dance that Davidson practices - Irish Jig, Hornpipe, Highland National and Highland Traditional - and they each have their own costume, which often has to be tailor-made.
While she has a Scottish background, she didn't choose the Davidson tartan for her skirt, but went for a colour and pattern that caught her eye.
When it comes to the dances, she has her preference, too.
"Highland Traditional is my favourite. I've been doing it the longest and feel most comfortable. It feels good."
This dance season, she plans to fit in a few last competitions and local exhibition performances before heading off to university next September.
Because dance has been such a big part of her life, she'll try to keep it up in the coming years.
"It's something I feel I'm good at and it just kind of comes naturally now."
