Premier Highland Dancer

The Joyce Deddens Premier Highland Dancer Award is presented annually to the outstanding performance of traditional Scottish Highland dancing at the Columbus Scottish Festival in Columbus, IN

A founding member of The Scottish Society of Louisville, Kentucky, Joyce has been teaching Scottish Country Dancing since the early 1980s and until 2014 was the leader of the local branch. She earned her preliminary and full certificates of dance at Brock University in St. Catherine’s, Ontario. Joyce has retired from teaching dance with the Louisville Scottish Country Dancing Society iin Louisville, Kentucky in 2013. In 2014, Joyce moved to Virginia to be closer to her family. Thank you, Joyce, for your unwavering commitment to advance the love of and participation in the art of Scottish Dance!

2018The dancer award is always given out at the Columbus, IN games. 12 yr. old Ariel Brandon from Michigan. President Jeff Forbes and Regional Celtic Commissioner Robbin Goodin.
2017Dancer award. Elizabeth Ballard, 16 years old. President Jeff Forbes and Regional Celtic Commissioner Robbin Goodin.
2016Adeline Byrnes, with Regional Celtic Commissioner Robbin Goodin at left, and Society Past-President, Jim Hughes, at right.
2015Breagh MacKinnon, with Society Past-President, Jim Hughes
2014Laura Mihelc,from Zionsville, IN, with Society Past-President, Jim Hughes.
2013Breagh MacKinnon, with Society Past-President, John Dickson
2012Mary McFarlane, from Brentwood, Tennessee, pictured with Society Past-President, Jim Hughes
2011Jean Sybil Stein from Illinois, pictured with Society Past-President, Jim Hughes
2010KatyBeth DeBellevue from Union, Kentucky pictured with Society Past-President, Jim Hughes