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Canora student gives televised performance at Telemiracle

Describing it as “a great performing experience and a great way to make a positive impact,” Abby Wilson, a Grade 10 student at Canora Composite School (CCS), appeared on the Telemiracle 44 Main Show on March 8 at shortly after 6 a.m. on live TV.

Describing it as “a great performing experience and a great way to make a positive impact,” Abby Wilson, a Grade 10 student at Canora Composite School (CCS), appeared on the Telemiracle 44 Main Show on March 8 at shortly after 6 a.m. on live TV. Before the performance, Wilson presented a donation of over $5,900 to the hosts, funds which she had raised for Telemiracle.

Wilson performed a tap solo to the music of Bubbly.

She said the planning process for fundraisers started as soon as she was chosen in December, one of 80 from across Saskatchewan.

“With the help from my parents, school teachers, and dance teacher, I held a Chili lunch at CCS and sold Helping Hands at CCS and at Canora Junior Elementary School,” said Wilson. “At my dance studio I also sold Helping Hands. I collected donations from friends, family, and community members. The Gateway Co-op and St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church passed along their donations. To top off all the donations I received, my uncle, Dallas Cairns, agreed to match whatever I raised up to $2,500. I was extremely thankful for all of the donations, and the overwhelming support.”

Wilson said the exciting auditioning process started several months ago.

“In mid-October I submitted an application requesting to audition for Telemiracle,” she recalled. “From there I was accepted and travelled to the Regina auditions on October 27, where I did my tap solo for the producers. On December 13, I was contacted and told that I was selected to be a part of the main show!”

Wilson trains with Extravadance Studios in Canora and is disciplined in the three major classes of tap, jazz and ballet. She also takes hip hop, acro and contemporary dancing. She teaches tiny dance and junior jazz and tap to younger dancers.

Even though the experience was nerve-racking, Wilson said she would encourage other performers her age to consider auditioning.

“Putting yourself out there can be scary, but you cannot let your fear of rejection hold you back. I loved having the opportunity being able to help others, and definitely recommend the experience to others,” she said.

All Telemiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel.

“During Telemiracle, Saskatchewan performers show us they are not only talented, but also very community-minded,” concluded Jesse Shkuratoff, Telemiracle 44 chair.