The Mòd 2000

With effort and achievement at a very high level throughout,. this was a wonderful Gaelic Mod Festival! Advanced Prose was exceptionally close. Several scores were a mere point apart, and the Song competitions were just as keen, including tied scores! We were very happy to welcome newcomers and new accomplishments in Creative Writing -- original Gaelic prose, poetry, and a song!

Mail-in Gaelic Prose Awards

The Dr. John (Iain) Cameron Prose Awards in honor of the founder (in 1981) of An Comunn Gaidhealach, America

Reading (on tape), Translating and Original Prose Writing:

Youth
Special Award: Anlara MacKenzie, MD

Beginner
Special Award: Susan Naito, SC

Intermediate
First place: Nancy Neveln, WA
Second place: Steven McBride, FL & Sue Cobbs, CA (equal)
Third place: Anne Landin, NC
Fourth place: Harry MacKenzie, MD

Advanced
First place: Michael MacKay, VA
Second place: John Fraser, AL
Third place: Glenn Wrightson, CO
Fourth place: Deborah Livingston-Lowe, Toronto. Ont.

Special Award for Perfect Score of 100% on
Reading of Advanced Gaelic Prose:
Eve Gordon, CA

Mail-in Original Gaelic Poetry Awards

Special Award: Michael MacKay, VA

Poetry Recitation at the Mod

First place: Michael MacKay, VA
Second place: William Cassidy, VA
Third place: Stanislaw Gerchak, OH
Fourth place: Harry MacKenzie, MD

Gaelic Songs

Slow Songs, Women
First place: Jana Blue, VA
Second place: Frances Acar, OH, & Jonquele Jones, TX
Third place: Louise MacMullin
Third place: Mary Swope, D.C., & Beatrix Whitehall, MD

Slow Songs, Men
First place: James MacDonald
Second place: Nicholas Freer, VA
Third place: Harry MacKenzie, MD & William Cassidy, VA
Third place: Reverdy Wright, VA

Work Songs, Women
First place: Jana Blue
Second place: Louise McMullin
Third place: Julie Burke
Fourth place: Mary Swope

Work Songs, Men
First place: Jonquele Jones (TX)
Second place: Michael MacKay (VA)

Puirt a Beul
First place: James MacDonald
Second place: Jonquele Jones
Third place: Nicholas Freer
Fourth place: Beatrix Whitehall

Third Song from Each Finalist, Women
First place: Jana Blue
Second place: Jonquele Jones
Third place: Louise McMullin
Third place: Frances Acar

Third Song from Each Finalist, Men
First place: James MacDonald
Second place: William Cassidy
Third place: Harry MacKenzie
Fourth place: Michael MacKay

Gaelic Songs, Combined Scores, Women
First place: Jana Blue
Second place: Louise McMullin
Third place: Frances Acar & Jonquele Jones

Gaelic Songs, Combined Scores, Men
First place: James MacDonald
Second place: Harry MacKenzie
Third place: William Cassidy
Fourth place: Michael MacKay

Gaelic Poetry Recitation

First place: Mary Swope (DC)
Second place: Neacal Freer (VA)
Third place: Katie Smith (Scotland)

Special Awards

Sabhal Mór Ostaig Scholarship
Presented by the Gaelic College on Skye to the outstanding prose student:
Michael MacKay of Virginia.

Bardachd Award
Presented in the Distance Learning Competition for the best original Gaelic poem:
Michael MacKay of Virginia.

The Edinburgh Crystal Decanter
Presented by Donald F. MacDonald, co-founder of the ACGA Mòd for poetry recitation, First place:
Michael MacKay of Virginia

The Argyll Educational Society Award
Presented to the prose and poetry overall combined scores winner:
Michael MacKay of Virginia

The Youth Solo Singing Special Award
Jessica MacKay of Virginia

The S.C.O.T.S. Shield
Presented by the Scottish Club of the Twin States – Vermont and New Hampshire to the women's slow song first place winner:
Jana Blue of Virginia

The McComb Shield
Presented by Mr. and Mrs Richard McComb to the men's slow song first place winner:
James MacDonald

The Marietta MacLeod Quaich
Presented in memory of the Gaelic singer by her husband Donald F. MacDonald and her sister, Gaelic singer Kitty MacLeod to the women's overall combined solo singing scores winner:
Jana Blue of Virginia.

The Herbert P. MacNeal Memorial Award
Presented by the Clan MacNeil Society to the men's overall combined solo singing scores winner:
James MacDonald

The Lewis Highland Dancing Society Trophy/Leòdhas agus na Hearadh Award
Presented for best performance of a song from the Lewis and Harris traditions:
Mary Swope of Washington, D.C.