CITYnews halifax : North Preston 10-year-old girl wins gold at Dance World Cup

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

Elayce Clayton got off the plane from Dublin, Ireland and was greeted by dozens of people from her community of North Preston.

The 10-year-old represented the country and Nova Scotia at the 2026 Dance World Cup, where she finished first in the Best Solo Dance category. She danced a hip-hop solo, placing first in the children’s category and the Hip Hop final.

Not only could she celebrate her winnings, but she was also able to feel the support from her community, who came out to see her. The airport was packed with people holding signs, flowers and balloons from friends and family.

Clayton held out her gold medal for everyone to see and was cheered on loudly by everyone.

Her accomplishments have caught the eye of her MLA, Twila Grosse who said the 10-year-old is a class act.

“Elayce’s remarkable achievement places her at the very top of global competition. Her discipline, artistry, and courage on the international stage reflect the strength and brilliance of our community,” Grosse said. “She has made North Preston, Nova Scotia, and all of Canada incredibly proud.”