COEUR d’ALENE — Two sisters earned accolades at a national competition for Scottish Highland dance. 

Talie and Bethany Hawkins of Coeur d’Alene both placed second overall in their age groups at the ScotDance USA National Championships in Santa Clara, Calif. 

“Onstage, I could not believe it,” said Talie, 17. 

“It was very shocking,” added Bethany, 13. “I did not expect it, but it was amazing.” 

For the Hawkins, Highland dance is a family affair. 

The family’s oldest sister, Kasey, founded Lake City Highland Dance in Coeur d’Alene before later moving to Florida. Another sister, Victoria, is now the director of the local dance studio. Talie and Bethany receive lessons in person from Victoria and over Zoom from Kasey.

“It’s so fulfilling to see all the hard work that I’ve put into them has paid off,” Victoria said. 

Highland dance is as much a sport as it is an art form, with roots stretching back hundreds of years. 

“It was traditionally done only by men in order to show off their strength and agility,” Victoria said. “It’s a pretty energetic and powerful dance form.” 

These days, it’s more common to see women dancing than men, though men and women compete against one another when dancing at Scottish Highland games or other dance competitions. Bagpipes usually accompany traditional dances. 

“I really love the athleticism that goes into it,” Talie said. 

This form of dance requires a great deal of training. Talie has been dancing since she was 7 years old, while Bethany got her start at just 4 years old. Ahead of the national competition, the sisters trained six days a week for at least two hours each day. 

“We have to strengthen the whole body,” Bethany said. “It’s such a powerful form of dance. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely worth it.” 

Shannon Hawkins, the girls’ mother, was thrilled to see her daughters’ achievements. 

“I’m incredibly proud,” she said. “They’ve worked incredibly hard. They practice all the time. It’s their passion and it’s so fun to see something that they love come to fruition.” 

Although the sisters have just won some of the top trophies in the nation for Highland dance, they’re not slowing down. They’re still training and perfecting their dancing, with dreams of competing next year at the World Highland Dancing Championships at the Cowal Highland Games in Dunoon, Scotland. 

Before that, Talie and Bethany Hawkins will compete Aug. 2 at the Spokane Highland Games. 

    Sisters Bethany and Talie Hawkins, accomplished Scottish Highland dancers, pose for a photo.