Garland resident Sydney Portilla-Diggs has advanced to the final four in the Senior Source’s Diamond Dance-Off. She’ll compete for the championship June 22. Sydney is a fun-loving grandmother who loves to dance.
“My family loved to dance. It’s something that makes me happy. I’m likely to dance all by myself,” she said. “It’s therapeutic. When you’re dancing, you experience this freedom.”
She added that people have expectations about what it’s like to be a certain age.
“I believe that you’re as young as you feel,” she said.
Sydney is the director of a nonprofit called Any Step Community Services that works to provide essential needs to older adult households. Her nonprofit works with The Senior Source, and it was someone there that told her about the dance-off.
Her work with the nonprofit is a volunteer role. Sydney is also a college professor of humanities and currently teaches at The Colony High School Collegiate Academy where she adores her students.
As if these activities didn’t keep her busy enough, Sydney is also a certified life coach. The common thread in all her jobs is community service.
Sydney said that when she decided to compete in the dance-off, she grabbed her granddaughters to help her make a dance video. As time has gone by, she has realized that it has made her relationship with them even stronger.
The Diamond Dance-Off is a virtual dance competition hosted by The Senior Source. It’s part of the organization’s 60th birthday celebration.
“The Diamond Dance-Off is The Senior Source’s way of celebrating the seniors we’ve served over the past 60 years. The pandemic has been so hard on older adults who were the most vulnerable and isolated, so this contest is a way to shine a spotlight on them,” said Stacey Malcolmson, president & CEO of The Senior Source.
The competition began May 10 with 16 entrants. The Senior Source selected the original 16 dance videos from more than 50 entries submitted by North Texas adults 60 years and older. The next week, the field of contestants was cut to eight and the next week, the final four were announced.
The dancers relied on the public’s involvement to advance them in the competition. They were promoted to future rounds based on the number of votes their video receives.
The final four contestants will face off virtually during the “round of 4” for online voting and will also perform in person at a final event in front of a panel of judges at Klyde Warren Park Tuesday, June 22, at 10 a.m.
There are awards throughout the competition, proving that dancing is not just all about technical skill. Awards include the Dallas Diamond Award for fan favorite video that receives the most votes in the online competition, Legend Award for the oldest dancer, the Most Creative Dance Award and the Diamond Dance-Off Crown Title Award for the winning performance at the final event, which will be determined by a panel of judges. All awards include a $100 prize. The crown title receives a $500 prize.
Additionally, the Dollars & Diamonds Award goes to the dancer who receives the most donations throughout the competition. The public can donate to The Senior Source to help their favorite contestant win this award plus a $100 prize. Donations accepted attheseniorsource.org/donate. All proceeds go directly to The Senior Source.
Be sure to watch Sydney’s dance video “Grandma Can’t Dance.”
About The Senior Source: Since 1961, The Senior Source has championed Dallas-area older adults. Through a variety of services designed to improve the emotional and financial well-being of older adults, The Senior Source serves the most active to the most vulnerable in our community. Phone: 214-823-5700. Website: www.theseniorsource.org. Facebook: www.facebook.com/theseniorsource or Twitter: @theseniorsource.