THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512130143
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
ACCORDING TO Donna Riley, her son Shamus was ``destined to be a clogger.''
And a mighty fine Peanut City Clogger is he.
The 15-year-old Lakeland High School freshman is a member of the 1995 All-America Clogging Team, sponsored by America's Clogging Hall of Fame, in Maggie Valley, N.C. It is known as the Clogging Capital of the World.
Becoming a member of that prestigious national team requires a variety of ingredients in addition to the obvious - clogging skills.
``There is also leadership, enthusiasm, team spirit. Getting in is based on letters of recommendation and recommendations from a Hall of Fame member who has seen the dancer,'' said Donna, who lives on Kenyon Road with her husband, James; 18-year-old daughter, Lorna; and 13-year-old son, Liam, who is also a member of the Peanut City Cloggers.
There are 13 girls and 13 boys on this year's All-America Team, youngsters representing many areas of the United States.
``I get to go all over the place,'' Shamus said. ``Some of the fun of clogging is traveling, being around other people and showing the audience a good time.''
He had a good time in October when he and his team performed in Maggie Valley, winning two first place trophies for traditional dancing and netting a second place win for precision.
Traditional is the dance of choice for the youngsters from Suffolk ``because,'' Shamus explained, ``you can do any style you want to. You can really express yourself.''
He has been expressing himself through dance since he was 7-years-old, following a family tradition started by his mother, and sister, Lorna, who has retired from clogging.
Donna traces the tradition to the family's Scottish-Irish roots.
The fact that clogging is ``traditionally female,'' she said, ``did not lessen Shamus's interest.
``Eventually, he became the only male member of the then five-year-old all-female clogging team,'' Donna said. ``For several years he remained the only male dancer, never allowing the kidding and unkind remarks of his male counterparts to influence him.
``Instead,'' she said, ``he was able, through his love of clogging, to encourage other male friends to join the team.''
There are now four boys in the 16-member group which has consistently claimed many team and solo awards.
In addition to being an award-winning dancer, Shamus also teaches clogging locally and in workshops in other areas.
Shamus is on the honor roll, plays in the school band, is on Lakeland's soccer team, was a Little League baseball player for nine years and collects sports cards.
``Often,'' his mother said, ``he comes straight from practice, after a day at school, then there's a game and he stays up till midnight doing homework.
``Shamus's enthusiasm, talent, showmanship and wonderful smile remain a constant and make him a delight to watch,'' she said. ``His showmanship is regularly remarked on as the audience always seeks him out after a performance.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Shamus Riley is on the All-America Clogging Team.
by CNB