Sarah hot foots it to three awards

Sarah Trass of Whangarei didn't win the Versatility Award bearing her name in last weekend's tap-dancing section of the 2008 Northland Performing Arts Festival - but carried off three other awards.
The 18-year-old is the youngest of the three Trass sisters, all award-winners in jazz dance, ballet and tap in the Northland competitions.
Parents Barry and Jenny Trass donated the Sarah Trass Versatility Award about three years ago to support the competition's society, which has held the festivals annually for the past 59 years, and to mark the longtime involvement of daughters Amy, Lisa (now in their 20s and no longer competing) and Sarah.
Thousands have competed over the years contributing many more thousands of performances.
About 1600 performances will have been added to the total when this year's festival concludes with the instrumental competition, being held at Forum North tomorrow.
The 65 tappers came from as far away as Tauranga last weekend, contributing 367 performances.
Auckland competitor Annalouise Half, 17, was nominated to represent Northland at the Young Performer of the Year Awards next month, where the country's top young performers will compete in ballet, tap and piano (different disciplines are highlighted each year).
• Trophy results for the tap section of the 2008 Northland Performing Arts Festival.
Mrs P. Hamilton Trophy, most promising and versatile competitor under 10 years in ballet and tap, Monique Gilmour, Whangarei.
Jackie Osborne-Boyd Trophy for most promising tap dancer under 12 years, and the Jesse Boyd Trophy, most versatile tap dancer under 12 years (both open to Northland residents only), Mihi Shepherd, Whangarei.
Sarah Trass Versatility Trophy, most versatile tap dancer 12 years and over (Northland residents only), Kelly Gillingham, Ruakaka.
Gillingham Family Trophy, adjudicators choice for most entertaining item, Sarah Trass for her waltz tap.
Margaret Isobel Cup, for all solo tap classes, 12 years and over, and the Homeworld Trophy, highest mark over all solo tap classes (excluding championship classes and for Northland residents only), Sarah Trass.
Delia Conaghan Cup, 10 years and under 12, song and dance, Briar Taylor & Kelly Gillingham Cup, for all solo tap, slow, waltz and tango classes under 12 years, and Tap Dogs Dance Academy Cup, highest mark over all solo tap classes (excluding championship classes), under 12 years, Melissa Smith, Auckland.
Max Thomson Cup, most promising tap dancer, Hannah Kee, Tauranga.
Waipu Cove Resort Cup, encouragement award for most consistent tap dancer under 12 years, Sophie Roughhead, Auckland.
Northlanders Sarah, Kelly and Mihi are all taught by Jackie Boyd of Ruakaka.