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Birth
I was born Katelyn Marie Lisznyai on July 12th, 2001 at Palmetto Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC to my mom. Jennifer, and my dad, Daniel. -
First Day of Daycare
I was a little under two months old when my mother decided to put me into daycare. However, this was also my last day because of the events in New York that happened that same day. -
First Irish Dance Competition
I was introduced to Irish Step Dance via "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC. As one of their filler acts, they had Michael Flatley, a famous Irish Dancer, perform with his crew. I also went to see one of his shows called "Lord of the Dance." After this, I was hooked on the style and started classes the very next day. After a few months, I went to my first competition. I only had one dance, but in that dance, I won. -
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Irish Dance Era
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Got Dog, Peanut
I got my baby boy in June of 2010. We had recently lost our previous dog, Caesar, who has been alive ever since I was born. However, Peanut came into our lives and made everything better. He sleeps with me, loves to play with me, and even likes to drive my car (not literally, he likes to sit in the driver's seat). -
Diagnosed with Scoliosis
At dance class one night in Charlotte, I was stretching when my dance instructor noticed a small hump developing on the right side of my back. She told my mother and I that it was probably scoliosis. Sure enough, when my mother took me to the doctor for an x-ray, we noticed that I had a minor curve in my spine. At this point, I could have had surgery, but I would have multiple surgeries because I was so young. So, I decided to not have the surgery until later and start chiropractic treatment -
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Homeschool Era
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Qualified for World Championships
Being about 3 years into my Irish dancing career, I went to the Southern Region Oireachtas a.k.a regionals. I danced my first two dances, recalled (qualifies for the next round) and finished my final routine. I ended up placing 11th, which qualified me for Worlds 2012, which took place in Belfast, Ireland. -
World Championships
Worlds was one of my most memorable experiences because of everything that happened. First, I got to travel to another continent. Second, I was able to perform in front of about 3,000 people. Finally, I was able to explore a country that I'd never been to before. I didn't place, but it was an amazing experience none the less. (yes, in the photo, I know I look very dark. I needed it for the stage lights so I didn't look like a ghost.) -
First Day of Intensive Therapy
After being diagnosed with scoliosis, I tried bracing. I had to wear a back brace for many hours a day until I got to a point where I would have had to wear it for 23 hours a day. This was too much. That was when I found Maximized Living and their intensive scoliosis therapy. I went down to sunny Orlando, FL for a week on hard and painful stretching and pulling. However, the treatment was able to reduce the curvature of my spine anywhere from 8-12 degrees. I continued this treatment for 5 years. -
Irish Dance Nationals
The 2012 North American Irish Dance Nationals took place in Anaheim, CA. The best part about the competition being on the west coast was that when I had to wake up at '6am,' it felt like 9am because of the time difference. I was also able to visit Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure which was super fun. Going out west is something I'll never forget. -
Quit Irish Dance
This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever needed to make in my life. My scoliosis had gotten to a point that at one of my dance competitions, I overheard a judge telling my dance instructor, "Sorry to see the girl with the broken arm." This was because the the giant hump on my back. This caused my arm to bend in a weird shape. At this point, I knew it was time to quit and move on to another chapter in my life. -
First Softball Game
After quitting Irish dance, I found another door: softball. I had discussed softball with my mother before Irish dance, but I had too much time invested into Irish dance, I couldn't do both. Now that I had tons of spare time, I picked up softball. I started with a small rec team called the Heat. We weren't that good, but it was experience none the less. -
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Softball Era
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First Day of Highschool
My first day of high school was a big day for me. My mother was a total crazy on fresh start because she "didn't want her baby girl to grow up." I rolled my eyes at her but I knew what she meant. I was growing so big in such a little time. I look back a photos now and don't recognize myself because I look so different. -
Atlantic Institute Essay Contest Winner
My physical science teacher had all of her students enter this contest. The prompt was "Ten Days, Ten Weeks, Ten Months, Ten Years. What can YOU accomplish?" My essay ended up winning first. I won a trip to Peru and $200. -
Back Surgery
My back got to a point that my spine started to impact my lung capacity, therefore effecting the way I breathe. This is when I was told that I would need the surgery. Thankfully I only needed one. However, this was a very traumatizing experience. I came out stronger on the other side. I am a lot better physically and mentally now than I was before. -
State Museum Photo Contest Winner
Being a student at Spring Valley High School, I took a photography class. One of the opportunities that my teacher wanted us to try was a photo contest that the State Museum was hosting. Out of thousands of entries. Mine was chosen, along with another 26 people, as the winners. Our photos were sent to Washington, DC and were put into Senator Grahams's office for display.
