#CARADANCESON
About Cara Dances On
In Loving Memory of Cara Loughran
🦋 💜 🦋 💜 🦋
Cara Loughran
Cara Loughran was a bubbly 14 year old, who enjoyed the beach, surfing, sea turtles, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and reading. A freshman honors student, Cara juggled schoolwork and extra-curricular activities, including Irish Dance, where she was learning the Light Jig at our school, Drake Irish Dance South Florida. Her newly redecorated bedroom reflected her passion for butterflies, and the colors purple and teal blue. She loved and was beloved by so many.
A week shy of her 15th birthday, on Valentine’s Day 2018, Cara went to school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and died there, with 16 other students and faculty.
Photo of Cara Loughran, courtesy of her family
As our community and dance school grappled with the loss of Cara and the horrific events of that day, Drake dancers committed to dance in Cara’s honor, wearing purple shirts and ribbons. Soon after, people from around the world offered their support, many sending pictures of their own dancers wearing purple and dancing for Cara. That show of love evolved into the “Cara Dances On Feis,” which allows us to weave in many of Cara’s favorite things, while, hopefully, offering a uniquely fun day of dance. With your support, #CaraDancesOn!
Cara Dances On Feis
& the Awards
🦋 💜 🦋 💜 🦋
Cara would’ve wanted to swim in the pool or go to the beach after Orange State Feis, so Sunday is blackout “surfer style”: don’t worry about leg tan or wigs! Feis shirts, purple and teal are all welcomed and encouraged.
Memorial Perpetual Trophy & Spirit Awards
Sponsored by
TyFy Studios and The Fontana / Loughran Family
Tir na mBlath
Cara’s family will present a Memorial Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by Tir na mBlath, to the winner of the U15 Preliminary Championship competition, as well as Perpetual Trophy “Cara Spirit Awards,” which go to a Beginner Boy and Beginner Girl dancer who convey Cara’s joy while dancing.
Light Jig Awards
Sponsored by The Loughran Family
As Cara was learning the Beginner Light Jig, butterfly “Carafly” crystals will be awarded to all 1st place Beginner Light Jig winners and a crystal butterfly “Carafly” suncatcher will be given to all other 1st place Light Jig winners.
Specials & Championship Awards
Jointly Sponsored
The Specials Awards, Preliminary Championship and Open Championship awards are all themed around the Florida beach, mermaids and sea creatures.
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Naples School of Irish Dance
PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIP
The Hackett Family
SPECIALS
Action Window and Glass, All Accounting Services, Diana O’Donnell Skin Care,
Irish Times Bar & Grill, Michael McDearmaid & Associates Consulting and Tonja Haddad, PA
Medal Round Awards
Sponsored by Drake FLL Families
Medal rounds awards featuring some of Cara’s favorite sweets will be awarded for the Preliminary and Open Championship competitions.
Cara Dances On
Memorial Scholarship Fund
🦋 💜 🦋 💜 🦋
The Loughran Family established the “Cara Dances On” Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is awarded annually to graduating South Florida Drake Irish dancers who are pursuing higher education. Raffle baskets have been donated in memory of Cara and proceeds from ticket sales go entirely towards this scholarship program.