Impies’ Grand Champion dreams of performing in Nashville
This Laerskool Impala learner aims high as he strives to compete in the world championships set to be hosted for 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.
For Ruanco Ueckermann (12), 2020 had a happy ending after he was crowned the male Grand Champion at the South African Championships of Performing Arts.
This honour was granted at the end of a gala event in which this Grade Seven learner from Laerskool Impala was invited to perform one of his routines that gained the highest overall score.
Ruanco reigned supreme in his age division with the highest overall score, cast by three qualifying judges in the boys’ drama division.
From December 4 to 12, Ruanco participated in the South African championships annually hosted in Rustenburg, competing in the drama and modelling categories.
According to his mom, Alet, he has been a contender in the championships for the past five years in which he has bagged a total of 63 gold medals, 35 silver medals and nine bronze medals.
What contributed to this outstanding achievement was the fact that he was competing against contestants between the ages of five to 30 years old and older.
“In 2020, he competed in 27 divisions, taking home 23 gold medals and four silver medals. Each year, he has been selected for the South African team that’s aiming to compete at the world championships intended for 2021,” she told Express.
At the latest championships, Ruanco made performances worth standing ovations as he was honoured with the overall winning trophy for boys, aged between five to 15 years old, for modelling and drama.
Alet listed major roles he has portrayed on screen, including a character known as Francois in the 2016 movie Kampterrein.
“He featured in a Sliwerskermfees short film titled Non-Kompos Mentos, in addition to a role in Stroomop, various television ads and most recently he landed a role in the trendy Spoorloos on kykNET.
“His biggest dream is to compete in the World Championships of Performing Arts and we will be hosting major fund-raisers to make this a reality in 2021,” Ruanco’s mother added.
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The world championship is set to be hosted in June/July this year in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United Stated of America.
His drama coaching is guided by the CJ Cilliers Drama studio in Kempton Park.
About his sterling performances, Ruanco said: “Without God and my family’s support, I would not have achieved all that I have so far.”
He was also announced as his school’s head boy of culture for 2021, to which he added: “I couldn’t believe it. I was so surprised by the announcement since there are so many other great leaders in my grade. It still feels like a dream.”
If anyone would like to show their support for this young talent and contribute towards his dream to attend the world championships, contact Alet on 082 898 4639 for more information.
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