Dancer Mia Linnik-Holden awarded Head of Year Award for ‘outstanding commitment’

Mia Linnik-Holden

Middleton dancer Mia Linnik-Holden has been presented with Cardinal Langley’s Head of Year Award for her ‘outstanding commitment’ to dance and her studies.

The talented 14-year-old, with her partner, Andrei, have made a name for themselves as they have risen fast in the junior Latin and ballroom ranks.

Mia began dancing at the age of six after asking her parents for lessons and has danced with Andrei, who is from Romania, since May 2015.

Proud mum Maxine Holden said: “Out of the full year, Mia was given this award for her commitment- both to her studies and dance. The teacher said she chose her as everyone loves Mia; everyone looks up to her and she is an inspiration to those around her. It made me cry. Thank you Mia, for being you.”

Headteacher Andrew Bridson said: “Mia always shows complete dedication to both school life and her dancing commitments. She manages her time to ensure that she is successful academically and is able to rehearse each day to remain at world championship level in her dancing.

“This year she also managed to play a leading role in our school production. We are proud of Mia’s achievements and especially of the way she maintains such a high standard in all that she does.

“Mia is an outstanding student and fully deserves the award.”

Mia and Andrei, aged just 14 and 15, were consistently placed between first and eighth place in the junior categories (ages 12-16) at the Junior Blackpool Dance Festival, improving on last year’s results.

Last year, the dedicated dancers were ranked amongst the top 10 worldwide in the U19 Ballroom dance at the World Dance Championships in Paris, just months after they became the Gateway Super League Junior Champions Ballroom and Latin champions and placing second at the Bournemouth Masters U16 Ten Dance Championships.

Previous accomplishments include UK Close U14 Ballroom and Latin Champions, Dutch Open WDC UK U14 Ballroom and Latin Finalists, International U14 Finalists, WDC U14 World Ballroom Champions, U14 World Latin Vice Champions and British National U16 Ballroom and Latin Finalists, placing third in Ballroom and fourth in Latin.

In April, the dedicated duo featured in ‘Baby Ballroom’, a 5Star documentary centred around the lives of child ballroom dancers in the UK.