Melina Bosco is only too happy to flip out.
The 17-year-old Innisfil resident and student at Barrie’s St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School has almost every style under her belt since first stepping onto a dance floor at the age of three. Honing her skills, she’s become an elite acro and contemporary dancer, to the point where she successfully auditioned for and was named to Team Canada last year.
And that work culminated in a trip to the International Dance Organization World Acrobatic Championships in Poland in the fall, when she earned two second-place medals in the adult small- and large-group acro categories.
She also danced two solo performances — one for acro and another in the contemporary division.
“I liked watching all the different dances, especially the divisions I didn’t compete in,” said Bosco, who currently trains out of Strength and Steps Studio. “They were really good. The ballet was amazing. We were all really happy to get second. It was just the experience of being there.”
Bosco said more than 30 countries participated in the championship.
“As soon as she got Poland, we were all super excited,” said Bosco’s mother, Gail Davies. “It’s exciting to see her win all these competitions, or just have fun, or make those friendships. It was a commitment. I’m always proud of her with everything she does.”
The trip lasted for 10 days and Bosco enjoyed seeing the Eastern European country and sampling its famous food, including perogies.
“It does not look like here; they’ve got cobblestone roads and small villages,” Bosco said. “I’d stay there if I could. It was really fun.”
Her hometown is also supportive, with Innisfil council recently granting $1,000 through its discretionary fund account.
“Innisfil is excited for Melina as she continues to captivate audiences with her incredible dancing and acrobatic skills,” Mayor Lynn Dollin said. “We wish her all the best as she continues to pursue her passion and make her family, friends and Innisfil proud.”
Bosco says dance has taught her organizational skills, discipline, and respect for teachers.
“You can show your emotions through movement, instead of verbally,” she said. “I love being on stage and dancing. I’d never talk in front of people, but (dancing) is fine. I don’t focus on the people. When you’re talking, you can look at people and see their emotion. Dancing, you don’t pay attention to that. It’s like it’s just you there.”
While dance has often been the focus of her athletic pursuits, she’s also competed in flag football, soccer, volleyball, and track and field over the years.
She is taking a step back for now, though, to focus on the final stretch of high school and getting into a good post-secondary institution.
“I would love to keep up with it,” she said. “If there’s a dance team (at university), I’d do it. I have so many ideas, I just want to get them out. I’m always choreographing in my head. I can never just listen to a song.”