Culture | Mar. 2026
BRINGING LAKE FOREST TO THE WORLD STAGE
By Tricia Despres
photography by Julie Booma
World Championship Qualifiers Sophia Booma, Bridget McGovern, and Mabel Hayes
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AT JUST 13 YEARS OLD, Lake Forest resident Bridget McGovern is only beginning to experience the many emotions that come with growing up. But earlier this year, she felt one she’ll never forget.
“All of us were crying tears of joy,” says the Deerpath Middle School student. “Everyone was so excited.”
The accomplished dancer is one of three O’Hare School of Irish Dance students who recently qualified for the World Irish Dance Championships, an international competition drawing more than 5,000 competitors from 30 countries and taking place in Schaumburg from March 29 to April 4.
“I was bawling my eyes out when we found out that they had made it,” says Veronica Lilja Brugioni, owner of O’Hare School of Irish Dance in Lake Bluff who has proudly trained Bridget, Sophia Booma, and Mabel Hayes. “I knew from the very beginning that all of them had a lot of natural talent and potential.”
All three dancers qualified for the World Irish Dance Championships at the Mid-America Oireachtas (also known as the Midwest Regional Championships) last November, placing in the top 15 percent of their age groups.
“We couldn’t have done it without our coach,” says Mabel, a 10-year-old from Libertyville who began Irish dancing at the age of 3. “We’re so grateful for everything she’s done for us.”
Brugioni was one of the first to notice the talents of these three particular students, who all got into the sport for a multitude of different reasons.
“I didn’t have any family in Irish dance, but I grew up with a lot of Riverdance in my house,” laughs Sophia, a student at School of St. Mary’s who takes dance classes three days a week in addition to private lessons. “My dad’s side of my family is Irish, so we were just really into that kind of thing.”
Considering that the Worlds are typically held overseas in Ireland or Scotland and have only been held in the United States three times before, this is a time of immense pride for all involved.
“It’s really exciting that they can represent our country and our studio,” says Brugioni, who will also shine a spotlight on the talents of her students at the O’Hare Irish Dance Showcase on March 8 at Lake Forest Academy. “This is an extraordinary achievement comparable to qualifying for the Olympics in other sports.”
Brugioni should know, as she too was an accomplished Irish dancer in her youth, qualifying and competing in the World Championships for eight years in a row during an impressive run.
“I hope that they can go out, not feeling pressure to get a certain placement,” she continues. “I want them to just dance with confidence and joy knowing that they are with the best of the best in the world.”
And while qualifying for the World Championship is no small feat, it’s the little things that have the young dancers most excited.
“I just recently got a new dress, which is really exciting since it doesn’t happen often,” says Mabel. “And I’m at the age now that I get to start wearing makeup, which is so cool.”
