A 12-year-old student from Lawn Manor Academy has completed her first year at the school in grand style, showcasing her exceptional talents in two remarkable performances.
Mia Oakley, who recently finished Year 7, achieved a unique feat by participating in Disneyland one day and securing a Gold medal in a regional martial arts competition the following day.
Mia was part of a select group of pupils from Lawn Manor Academy who received a special invitation to Disneyland this summer.
The academy had previously triumphed at the Paris-based resort, with 40 pupils winning a group competition to perform a spectacular routine for the esteemed Disney Performing Arts Team in 2022.
The Disney Performing Arts OnStage programme offers amateur groups the incredible opportunity to demonstrate their skills and revel in the thrill of performing live on a Disney stage. Captivating the Disney staff with their diverse talents, ranging from rock ‘n’ roll and musical theatre to contemporary song and dance, the pupils were invited back for an extraordinary second visit to Disneyland this year, once again delivering a resounding success.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Mia returned to the UK after the show and set off for Bristol, where she competed in the Point Stop Sparring category at the prestigious South West Martial Arts Championship. Her remarkable dedication and skill earned her a Gold medal in her age group, a testament to her years of hard work and training. Mia is already a black belt in martial arts and is a student at the renowned MF martial arts school, displaying her proficiency and passion for the discipline.
Mia’s mother, Sally Oakley, shared her pride in her daughter’s accomplishments and commended her for taking on such a demanding schedule with ease.
“We’re really proud of her,” said Sally.
“She started sparring six years ago, and got a Gold in an international championship four years ago, but the long Covid period put a stop to all that for a while. But now she’s able to compete again, she’s giving it her all, whether in sparring or on stage.”
Lawn Manor Academy’s head of dance, Natasha Dixon, also praised Mia’s exceptional commitment and stamina, hailing her as a credit to both herself and the school.
“We are all hugely proud of Mia,” said Ms Dixon.
“Her fighting skill is so worth the watch – and it’s particularly amazing that she accomplished that just one day after performing in Disneyland with her fellow school friends. She deserves all the accolades she gets, and we’re sure she has a very bright future ahead of her.”
Lawn Manor Academy forms part of the Ascend Learning Trust, a distinguished educational institution committed to nurturing young talents. To find out more about Lawn Manor Academy, visit their website at www.lawnmanor.org.
