Barrow dancer to perform at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration parade

As Mr Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, Victoria Wilson will be involved in the ceremonial procession which follows president Trump and vice president Mike Pence along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

The 21-year-old, part of the Texas State University Strutters group, is a Texas State University dance education major who moved to Texas from Barrow in 2003 with her immediate family when she was seven. Her extended family are in Barrow.

The former Yarlside primary pupil and her friends have been busy rehearsing ready for the big occasion in Washington D.C. where they have several performances. The procession also involves military regiments, bands and floats.

Miss Wilson said: "Travelling to Washington D.C. to perform in the presidential inaugural parade is a tremendous honor. It's a chance of a lifetime. Having the opportunity to represent not only my school, my state, and my country, but also all of my family back in Barrow really excites me, especially how this is a world-wide event that grandparents and family back home can watch live on TV.

"As well as the parade, the Strutters are performing in various functions, including in front of the World War II Memorial. These performances will also be in front of ex-presidents and dignitaries from around the world.

"It's a huge honour to receive this incredible opportunity. This will be something that I will remember and cherish forever."

The Strutters are the largest precision dance team in the US and Miss Wilson has been with them for three years. She is involved in Pom Squad, promoting the school spirit at American football and basketball games, and Jazz Elite, which showcases the excellent technique of the Strutters.

The Strutters travel to perform by invitation and application, such as; two presidential inaugural parades, numerous NBA and NFL halftime performances, the nationally televised Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, "America's Got Talent," McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, and many more.

For 57-years, Strutters have served as ambassadors for Texas State University on state, national, and international levels with performances in 26 countries spanning four continents.

The Strutters made the application to be involved in the Presidential Inauguration Parade months before the election result, but they faced a backlash from those protesting against Mr Trump.

Miss Wilson is a top achieving student and on the Dean's List at her university, recognising her high grade point average. She hopes to direct a high school dance team after her studies. Outside of school she works at a local dance studio, Wimberley Dance Elite, to help fund her education. She said: "This also gives me work experience in my chosen field. At the studio, I am employed to teach technique classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, etc. I also choreograph solos, duets, and group routines that my students compete with at competitions.

"I have always had a love for dance, whether it was copying dances from the Spice Girls or choreographing dances with my two younger sisters to show off to my parents."

After moving to Texas she started to take dance classes and joined dance teams through middle school, high school and now university.

Miss Wilson's dad is Michael Wilson, of Barrow Island and her mum, Julie Wilson, was raised on Roose Road and is well-known in Furness as she was a Macmillan nurse for St Mary's Hospice for over 10 years. Miss Wilson's siblings are Jade, Drew, Charlotte, and Abbey.