History of SHDA Awards

Betty Chan-Klepp Trophy
Betty Chan started out as a famous and accomplished highland dancer, but she is best known in Saskatoon as a long-time highland dance teacher and judge. Betty Chan taught highland dancing for numerous years up until the early 1980’s, instructing many that became highland dance teachers in Saskatoon and elsewhere. Betty Chan-Klepp now resides in British Columbia.

Jane MacKenzie Memorial Trophy
This trophy is named in memory of Jane MacKenzie, mother of a Saskatoon piper and grandmother to two Saskatoon highland dancers. Jane MacKenzie lived in South Uist in the Hebriddean Islands of Scotland. Her son, Sam MacKenzie, is well-known for his performances on the lowland pipes at FolkFest. Her two granddaughters, Shona and Valerie, were both highland dancers in Saskatoon for a number of years.

Nicolson Trophy
The Nicolson trophy was graciously donated by the family of Patricia and Wendy Nicolson. Sisters Patricia and Wendy were both Saskatoon highland dancers in the late 1950’s to mid-1960’s.

Tanyss Cameron Trophy
Many will know Tanyss Cameron as a current highland dance teacher here in Saskatoon. Tanyss danced competitively for 24 years with many significant achievements along the way. She represented Saskatchewan at the Canadian Championships for 14 years. Several highlights of Tanyss’ dancing career included: placing 3rd runner-up in the 1986 Canadian Championships (18 & Over Class), winning awards at the ScotDance Canada National Championships, and winning awards at the British Overseas Championships.

Dayle West Trophy
Dayle West started out as both a highland dancer and a young piper in Saskatoon. While receiving dancing instruction from Jean Remenda, he also played with a Saskatoon pipe band called Strathfleet. Dayle soon began piping for highland dancing competitions. Dayle West now teaches a boys pipe band in Calgary and continues to make regular appearances at the Canmore Highland Games.

Saskatoon Highland Dancing Association Trophy
This trophy was kindly donated by the Saskatoon Highland Dancing Association. The SHDA was formed in 1954 and exists to promote the art of Highland Dancing and the Scottish culture of its origin. Members include dancers, teachers, parents and those whose involvement in dancing over the years keeps them involved in the organization.

Wilson School of Highland Dance Trophy
This trophy was generously donated by the Wilson School of Highland Dance. Wendy Wilson established her highland dancing school in 1989 in North Battleford. Since then the school has expanded to Saskatoon with over 100 dancers. Many of Wendy’s dancers have represented Saskatchewan at the Canadian national championships. Wendy’s own highland dancing career spanned 20 years and was highlighted by numerous accomplishments, including representing Saskatchewan at Canadian championships many times, winning awards at the ScotDance Canada National Championships, and achieving two 5th placings in World Championships at the Cowal Highland Gathering in Scotland.

McIntyre-Goldie Memorial Trophy
This trophy is named in honour of Rose McIntyre (mother of Jean McIntyre Goldie) and Isabel Goldie (mother of Hugh Goldie). Both were grandmothers
to Katie Goldie and were vitally interested in her highland dance career before their passing. Katie danced competitively in Saskatoon for more than 17 years, representing Saskatchewan at many Interprovincials and competing in the U.S. and Scotland where her last trophy was the Best Overseas Dancer. She now resides and teaches dancing in Calgary.
The Goldie family is active in highland dance and Scottish Country Dancing; Katie's brother, Douglas, is a fiddler and piper; he served as pipe major for the 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums and now plays with the Saskatoon Police Pipe Band.

Bruce Cameron Trophy
The Bruce Cameron trophy exemplifies an important part of highland dancing – friendship. Named for Colleen Bruce and Tanyss Cameron, these dancers were good friends during their years of competitive highland dancing. The Bruce and Cameron families kindly donated this trophy in honor of both dancers.

Regina Highland Dance Association Trophy
This trophy was kindly contributed by the Regina Highland Dance Association. The RHDA exists to promote Scottish highland dancing and Scottish culture in Regina. The Association organizes competitions, workshops, tours, public performances, and a variety of cultural and social events for the membership and the public at large.

Wilsdon Trophy
The Wilsdon Trophy was contributed by the Wilsdon family in honor of their daughter, Cindy. Cindy Wilsdon was a highland dancer for a number of years in Saskatoon during the 1980’s.

Ceilidh Surprise Trophy
This trophy is kindly offered by our friends at Ceilidh Surprise. Mary & Leah Sutton, the proprietors of Ceilidh Surprise, have been involved in highland dancing for many years and are now regulars at Saskatchewan competitions. Ceilidh Surprise offers a full line of supplies for highland dance, piping and drumming, as well as giftware.

Jane MacCuish Memorial Trophy
This trophy is named in memory of Jane MacCuish, paternal great-grandmother to long-time Saskatoon highland dancer and teacher, Lawanda Wilson. Jane MacCuish was originally from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. She worked in Dornach Castle before she immigrated to Canada in the 1930’s.

Hodgins Family Trophy
The Hodgins family, whose members were keenly involved with highland dancing, has provided the Hodgins Family Trophy. Two Hodgins daughters, Michele and Courtnay, both danced and were pipers with the Bonnie Blue Bells. Charles Hodgins acted as one of the early Folkfest Ambassadors, while Mary Ellen Hodgins held a number of positions within the SHDA.

Crighton Trophy
The Crighton Trophy is named for Mennie Crighton, whom everyone simply knew as “Ma.” Ma Crighton was a lifetime member of the SHDA. Her daughter, Jean Remenda, was both a highland dancer and a highland dance teacher in Saskatoon, and she eventually became a highland dance judge. Ma is remembered for the beautiful dolls she handcrafted as door prizes for Saskatoon competitions. Each doll came fully outfitted in handmade highland dress – they were prizes that were truly treasured. Perhaps these dolls are now collectors’ items in the homes of many past Saskatoon highland dancers!

Scottish Societies Trophy
The newest trophy in SHDA’s collection, this trophy was graciously provided by the Scottish Societies. The Scottish Societies is made up of many volunteers, particularly those who are connected with highland dancing and piping in Saskatoon. Their goal is to promote Scottish culture in Saskatoon, and their signature activity is running the Scottish pavilion during FolkFest

Orchard Trophy
The Orchard Trophy was donated by the Orchard family from Delisle, Saskatchewan, in honor of their daughter, Valerie. Valerie Orchard danced for a number of years in Saskatoon in the 1970’s.

Lorman Cup
The Lorman Cup is named for Lynda Lorman, a highland dancer who competed in the late 1950’s under the tutelage of Mrs. Allingham. Lynda went on to become a highland dance teacher and taught numerous dancers throughout the 1960’s.

Heather Gray Trophy
Heather Gray was a Saskatoon highland dancer in the mid-1950’s to the 1960’s under the instruction of Jean Remenda. She became a highland dance teacher and soon her own daughter, Erin, became a highland dancer as well. Heather Gray currently resides in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Nelson Trophy
The Nelson Trophy was kindly donated by Hazel Nelson, a lifetime member of the SHDA. The trophy was offered in honor of Hazel’s daughter, Sue, who was a competitive Saskatoon highland dancer in the 1950’s and ‘60’s. Sue went on to teach highland dancing in the 1970’s and 1980’s. In keeping with tradition, Sue’s daughter, Stacy, also became a highland dancer in the 1980’s. The Nelson family still resides in Saskatoon.

A Note of Thanks . . . .
A special thanks is owed to those who took the time to speak with us, meet with us, share a cup of tea, and recollect information regarding the awards. We are sincerely grateful for your help.
We strive to ensure that all information regarding our awards is correct. But, understanding that memories sometimes fade, if any of the information provided is incorrect or incomplete, we would appreciate your input.

This page was compiled by Kim Robertson, 2004