Elizabeth Sloan (back row second from left) and Emma Barr (front row left) with Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Edwin Poots and the five other Northern Ireland drum majors who will travel to Sacramento.

LAURELHILL Community College's Head Girl and a pupil of Ballycloughan Primary School from Saintfield will travel to California later this month to show off their skills as drum majors

A Level student Elizabeth Sloan and eight year old Emma Barr are both members of Ravara Pipe Band and are going to the USA to compete in the Sacramento Valley Scottish Games and Festival.

Elizabeth has been taking part in competitions for 10 years while Emma is one of the youngest competing drum majors in Northern Ireland.

Both are title holders. Elizabeth has been All Ireland Champion, European Champion and Juvenile World Champion.

Emma won top placing in all her competitions during 2007 but the highlight of the year was winning the European Championship.

The girls were joined by the five other Northern Ireland drum majors travelling across the Atlantic at an event in Hillsborough Fort hosted by Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Edwin Poots who will attend the Sacramento Games.

The Minister said It was 'evident' to him cultural aspects of life in Northern Ireland had been "neglected for many years.

The opportunity for these young people to demonstrate the best of Northern Ireland talent in the United States is something I believe will reap rich dividends," he said. "They are attending a significant event which attracts huge interest on site and on the American media - even television channels - and I am delighted that we were able to support them," he continued.

Ulster Star
25/04/2008