As many might know, in big cities, seagulls are quite friendly… maybe too friendly. Every summer our dance team travels to a big city for nationals.Elizabeth Danyi or better known as Liz is the mom to two dancers, Violet and Beanie.  Last year, she had said to the moms that she wanted to catch a duck on the beach of Sandusky. All the dance moms told her that it wasn’t going to be impossible since there aren’t ducks on the beaches in Sandusky, but lucky enough for her there was a person who brought their pet duck to the beach! Now, you might think she is crazy to want to catch a duck, so let’s tell her story.

Liz, growing up, had chickens and ducks as a child and would teach them how to do tricks. When Liz went to the Keystone Safari in Grove City, there was a chicken on the loose! In Liz’s mind she thought I’ll pick this chicken up… and she did!  In Fact she let EVERYONE pet the chicken before finding its pen and returning it. She is also a teacher and while teaching she caught not one but two birds that flew into her classroom. Everyone always calls her the “Bird Lady” and now you can see why. But wait, but there’s even more! 

This last season, my competitive dance team went to Atlantic City, New Jersey for nationals. If you have ever been there, you would know that the seagulls are literally everywhere; they are very amiable, and will snatch your food if they can get close enough (speaking from experience). Liz’s mission this season was to catch a seagull safely. Every single mom probably thought she was a little crazy; I know I did. Nevertheless, she was set! She knew what s

he wanted. The owner of our dance studio, being in Atlantic City a couple years before for the same nationals, told her if she could really accomplish this if she truly wanted to. A couple days into our trip to Atlantic City, Elizabeth was walking on the boardwalk just as the sun was setting, with some of her dance mom friends, and all of their kids as well. She noticed that there was a baby seagull with its wing injured. Liz, wanting to accomplish her dream and also being the kind hearted person she is, followed the bird to the back of the store and said to the clerk, “My seagull ran in here. Do you mind if I follow him into the back of the store?” She caught the wounded bird and put it near the beach for safety. Liz’s story may be a little odd, but it brings joy to see her complete her mission of catching a seagull.