| Eight year old, Floridian, wins 6 golds for the U.S.A. Wins divisional acting title " Champion Performer of the World " |
Words, however, were unnecessary to understand the overwhelming emotions at the close of the week. With the competition and festivities
over, the time had come to share last minute stories, exchange addresses and finally to say good-bye. The final gestures of unity in a flicker of a
moments spanned continents. Flags, once separate now seemed to blend into one, uniforms though designed in different styles and patterns
were worn with a unanimous sense of pride and much deserved entitlement. Departing contestants held hands, embraced eyes filled with tears
as the final gestures were exchanged. Little Amanda who had fought back her tears while she packed started sobbing the minute she saw the
sets being taken down." I just broke down and couldn't’t stop crying” said the 8 yr old performer.I think that was the moment, that reality finally
hit, her" says Amanda's mom” Angelique Balon. “This intense, exciting, challenging, adventurous most important, most treasured week of her
life was coming to an end" Watching her daughters hugging their new friends, Angelique said that she herself felt a lump in her throat. "As
tough as they seem, this moment is hard for both my girls. They are saying goodbye to friends who, although new, probably understand each
other more than anyone." The performers have shared moments they will never forget; they have so much in common and can all relate
instantly to each other. They know the amount of hard work it took to get here, the courage, resilience and passion each contestant has within
them the thrill and exhilaration of stepping onto that magnificent, massive stage. They have experienced the same highs and lows. A closeness
that only this group of friends can understand. Knowing too, that most of their friends live on the other side of the world. This is really hard.
Samantha and Amanda catch up with their mother, the older girl consoling her sister. Amanda cheers up as she is reminded of the entire
experience of the past week. The blessings of having experienced such a unique and amazing opportunity, the fun that they have had over the
week and the joy of making such special friends. Smiling, there is a twinkle in her eye as she says. “What is really cool, is that we arrived at
these Championships wondering who would be the one to win. But we left knowing that we all had.” Sam continues “We learned a lot, we
laughed and we worked harder than ever, we played too, we stood up for our own countries and cheered on other countries and we built
friendships that we will never forget. We all won."
Article by The Performers World reporter (with permission for republication) Photographs by the W.C.O.P.A (with permission for republication)
over, the time had come to share last minute stories, exchange addresses and finally to say good-bye. The final gestures of unity in a flicker of a
moments spanned continents. Flags, once separate now seemed to blend into one, uniforms though designed in different styles and patterns
were worn with a unanimous sense of pride and much deserved entitlement. Departing contestants held hands, embraced eyes filled with tears
as the final gestures were exchanged. Little Amanda who had fought back her tears while she packed started sobbing the minute she saw the
sets being taken down." I just broke down and couldn't’t stop crying” said the 8 yr old performer.I think that was the moment, that reality finally
hit, her" says Amanda's mom” Angelique Balon. “This intense, exciting, challenging, adventurous most important, most treasured week of her
life was coming to an end" Watching her daughters hugging their new friends, Angelique said that she herself felt a lump in her throat. "As
tough as they seem, this moment is hard for both my girls. They are saying goodbye to friends who, although new, probably understand each
other more than anyone." The performers have shared moments they will never forget; they have so much in common and can all relate
instantly to each other. They know the amount of hard work it took to get here, the courage, resilience and passion each contestant has within
them the thrill and exhilaration of stepping onto that magnificent, massive stage. They have experienced the same highs and lows. A closeness
that only this group of friends can understand. Knowing too, that most of their friends live on the other side of the world. This is really hard.
Samantha and Amanda catch up with their mother, the older girl consoling her sister. Amanda cheers up as she is reminded of the entire
experience of the past week. The blessings of having experienced such a unique and amazing opportunity, the fun that they have had over the
week and the joy of making such special friends. Smiling, there is a twinkle in her eye as she says. “What is really cool, is that we arrived at
these Championships wondering who would be the one to win. But we left knowing that we all had.” Sam continues “We learned a lot, we
laughed and we worked harder than ever, we played too, we stood up for our own countries and cheered on other countries and we built
friendships that we will never forget. We all won."
Article by The Performers World reporter (with permission for republication) Photographs by the W.C.O.P.A (with permission for republication)
USA team-mates, Amanda Balon (8) who won 6 gold medals for the USA and
Gabrielle Rulon (bronze medallist) share a victorious moment at the World
Championships of the Performing Arts, which was held in Hollywood, Ca, last
week. The two girls are both from different states had never met before the
championships. However within a few minutes of sitting together the two
performers formed an instant unique bond.
The world championships is a one-of-a-kind competition started by Griff O'Neil.
Three thousand of the worlds most talented performers, ranging in age from five
to seventy two, arrived from fifty one different countries to vy for the gold.
Indeed, the sense of competition was palpable and fiercely intense. Yet not
nearly as intense as the strong bonds developing between the many teams and
many nations. The diversity of cultures, different languages and skin colors and
the age ranges, mattered little as the contestants bonded in unity.“We are all
performers." says Balon " so when we discovered that we spoke different
languages we just used other ways to communicate.” These included hugs,
thumbs up, facial expressions, cheering each other on and learning the most
pertinent phrases in the different dialects. “I can say,’good luck’ and ‘good job’
in 10 different languages now” says the vivacious, multi-gold winner, Amanda.
Gabrielle Rulon (bronze medallist) share a victorious moment at the World
Championships of the Performing Arts, which was held in Hollywood, Ca, last
week. The two girls are both from different states had never met before the
championships. However within a few minutes of sitting together the two
performers formed an instant unique bond.
The world championships is a one-of-a-kind competition started by Griff O'Neil.
Three thousand of the worlds most talented performers, ranging in age from five
to seventy two, arrived from fifty one different countries to vy for the gold.
Indeed, the sense of competition was palpable and fiercely intense. Yet not
nearly as intense as the strong bonds developing between the many teams and
many nations. The diversity of cultures, different languages and skin colors and
the age ranges, mattered little as the contestants bonded in unity.“We are all
performers." says Balon " so when we discovered that we spoke different
languages we just used other ways to communicate.” These included hugs,
thumbs up, facial expressions, cheering each other on and learning the most
pertinent phrases in the different dialects. “I can say,’good luck’ and ‘good job’
in 10 different languages now” says the vivacious, multi-gold winner, Amanda.
