Pella Christian sophomore Ani Bell recently performed at the International Dance Organization World Championships and brought home a silver medal.

Competing with Team USA in Poland in late November, Bell was a semifinalist in all four routines she participated in. In the Modern/ Contemporary solo dance, Ani was the only dancer from the Western Hemisphere to advance to the semifinals and earned second place in the routine. Bell also placed fifth in the Acrobatic Solo Dance, fifth in the Acrobatic Group Dance, and 13th in the Jazz solo dance. Bell said that it was a surreal experience placing on the podium at the IDO World Championships.

“When you’re standing up there on the podium and you medal, it’s actually so surprising, because you’re just standing up there with all these other countries and you have your flag representing your country. And it’s so cool to hear that, even if your national anthem isn’t the one that’s playing, it’s still a really good experience and it’s shocking, but it’s really exciting.

Hear more from Ani Bell about competing in the IDO World Championships in Poland on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.