Originating in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture, history and heritage, widely known as a day of green costumes, parades and the iconic leprechaun. Although the holiday has become a global celebration, St. Patrick’s Day holds a deeper meaning with Irish step dancing, a traditional Irish form of dance, playing a central role in culture. Known for fast footwork, upright posture and minimal use of arms, Irish dancing has evolved to become a vital part of Irish culture and identity.

Freshmen Sophie Stricker and Mia Loeffler are Irish dancers and plan to celebrate the day honoring Irish traditions while showcasing their talents. Stricker will be participating in the Dogtown parade while Loeffler will be performing with her studio at Kirkwood Theatre. 

Attending the same dance studio, Stricker and Loeffler often dance together. However, their stories of how they grew into Irish dancing differ widely.

Stricker was introduced to Irish dancing through her mom, who is of Irish descent and danced during her childhood. Since then, Stricker has continued Irish dancing her whole life and is well-decorated with numerous accomplishments. Currently, she holds the title of placing 14th in the world, 11th in the nation and second in the region in Irish dancing. But Stricker’s deep connection to Irish culture extends beyond dance. Irish culture and heritage play a large role in Stricker’s family, from following Catholic traditions to enjoying Irish food like baked pies. 

“I have family that still lives in Ireland. They came to Worlds one year to watch me dance. My great grandparents on my mom’s side were both born in Ireland and then started families in St. Louis,” Stricker said.

On the other hand, Loeffler stepped into the world of Irish dancing unconventionally, with no Irish roots. She was introduced to Irish dancing through a friend of her mom’s, who owns the dance studio that both Stricker and Loeffler dance at. Irish dancing has helped Loeffler explore and experience Irish culture.

“It’s a very different form of dance, and you don’t expect how big it is until you go to a regional and see people from all around, any state or country. It’s really cool and special because you don’t really see that much [Irish culture] unless it’s during St. Patrick’s Day,” Loeffler said.

To get to their current competitive level, Stricker and Loeffler had to work their way up through the levels of Irish dancing, from beginner to eventually the champion level. From there, in order to qualify for the World Championships, the two must become the top percentage of their age group by placing consistently at competitions. These local competitions not only build a dancer’s ranking but also provide critical opportunities to gain feedback and continue to improve.

“You get comments from the judges like ‘This is what you can do better. This is what you need to work on. You did this really well, but try to do that,’” Loeffler said. “You take the feedback and keep preparing for one of the big competitions.”

Taking the feedback into action, Loeffler practices two to three times a week, ramping it up when competitions draw near. Similarly, in the weeks leading up to a tournament, Stricker practices four to five times a week. 

“I spend so much time [Irish dancing] because it’s rewarding to [meet my] goal. After all the hard work I put in, it feels great to be able to stand on stage and be proud of what I got. I know I did my absolute best to achieve it, and I don’t regret anything,” Stricker said.

While important, Irish dancing is not just defined by the competition. St. Patrick’s Day will offer the dancers an opportunity to step away from the pressure and simply enjoy the art of Irish dancing. The day is a celebration of culture, and for Stricker and Loeffler, it is a chance to share their joy in dance with others.

“[St. Patrick’s Day] is a fun holiday. I get to dance [and] do what I like, bonding with my family and friends that all celebrate it. Most people celebrate it too, and I get to show off my talent. People enjoy [the dancing], and they like [to] treat it special,” Stricker said.