The Flanagan School of Irish Dance is composed of a diverse group of girls ranging in ages from first graders who are just getting started  to seniors in high school who have been dancing for years. Some  older students even help teach the younger kids.

There are six girls from Cotter High that have dance practice every Wednesday. These girls are Michaela Peplinski, Leah Koll, Maura Michener, Beth Parlin, Jane Koll, and Olivia Flanagan. Most of these girls are have been dancing for about 10 years.  There are also of number of Cotter junior high and St. Stan’s students in the program.

The director and founder of the  program is Kate Flanagan. She has been teaching Irish dance in Winona for 42 years and this year will be her last year.  The final recital was held Friday, May 2, at Valencia theater.   Several of Flanagan’s students are also her granddaughters, and there has been a strong family thread through the program’s history.

The group dances at many different places around Winona.  They have danced at are Jefferson’s, St. Anne’s, Callista Court, St. Stans, Cathedral and many different churches. They have also traveled to La Crosse to preform.

Peplinski, a senior, has been dancing 10 years. She, along with Abbey Quandahl,  has been assisting Flanagan in teaching the younger kids, as well as the older kids for the past four years.

“Teaching them can be hard at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything because of the joy they bring to my day,”  said Peplinski.

She hopes to continue dancing throughout college.

“Kate Flanagan has been a great instructor and friend through these past ten years I have taken dance class. I have enjoyed her enthusiasm and commitment to Irish dancing in Winona.I am so glad that I will get to experience her last year of teaching the same year I graduate from high school. Her dedication to teaching clueless kindergarteners to confident seniors in high school is astonishing, and I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher!,” added Peplinski.

Another  Cotter dancer is junior Leah Koll. Leah  has also been dancing for 10 years. She said, “Being able to dance and have a good time is what makes it very worthwhile.”

“Flanagan has a lot of patience. She is able to handle first graders through seniors really well. She also nevers gives up on us,” Beth Parlin, sophomore, said

 She is always very enthusiastic. A lot of the dancers have been working with Flanagan for many years and have grown very close to her. They are going to miss her greatly.