Dancing Stars
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 18, 2014 10:34 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Brandi Strickland, Keagan Kermode and Kate Daniels pose at the end of their "Circle of Life" dance routine with the senior dance company of Artistic Dance Academy during Dancing Stars of Wayne County held Friday night at the Paramount Theater. The group's performance was awarded "Best Presentation" honors and Mrs. Strickland, second from left, raised almost $11,000 for the Wayne Education Network.
Before the first dance step was learned or the first vote was cast, Brandi Strickland's enthusiasm for Dancing Stars of Wayne County was apparent.
"I could not wait to do this because the stage is my home," she said at an organizational meeting in August.
The stay-at-home mom of two boys backed up her claim Friday night, bringing in the most money and being named overall winner at the fourth annual education fundraiser, and sharing "Best Presentation" honors with Wayne County Chamber of Commerce President Kate Daniels.
Going into the contest, Mrs. Strickland was already ahead of the pack, having generated $9,180 in online votes. She maintained the lead throughout the evening, ultimately shutting down the competition with $10,990 for the cause.
Thirteen "stars" and five area dance studios collaborated for the fundraiser for Wayne Education Network, which supports education efforts in Wayne County.
To date, WEN has awarded $33,000 in teacher stipends and $119,000 in grants. It also supports such efforts as the middle school career fair, teacher job fair, and is launching a speakers bureau in the coming year.
Tammy Kunz, a science teacher at Charles B. Aycock High School, was a recipient of two grants over the past year, making additional projects possible for her students.
As a military wife transferred here by the government, she said such supplemental support is beneficial to an educator.
"It makes me very happy and feel very welcome to know that the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce can do things like this for teachers like me," she said.
The two-hour program featured nine performances, with four contestants doubling up their efforts to share the stage together.
Mrs. Strickland, representing Strickland Insurance, and Mrs. Daniels participated in a full-scale routine with Artistic Dance Academy to the Lion King's "Circle of Life."
At one point, two male dancers hoisted Mrs. Daniels onto a Cleopatra-style pedestal. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she held up a sign that bore the words, "Vote for me."
The duo, who had previous dance experience, said they had a wonderful time performing in full makeup and costumes.
There were two other judges awards presented at the conclusion.
The most technical award went to Nicole Barnes, chief financial officer with Alta Foods, and Dr. Shane Hoover, a pediatrician with Goldsboro Pediatrics, who performed a 1940s-style boogie woogie dance, which included her doing a split and him doing a cartwheel.
The judges' favorite award went to George Lanier, a Realtor/broker with RE/MAX Complete, who performed "Lose Control," choreography by Joolie Davis, a UNC-Wilmington dance coach.
Other highlights during the evening included a mother of four holding her own with a group of female dancers, a 1970s disco extravaganza and a visit from the Lord of the Dance.
Leigh Tanner, a biology teacher at Wayne Country Day School who has four children with News-Argus publisher Hal Tanner III, blended in seamlessly with her dance partners from A Step of Class studio.
"I had a hard time telling you apart from the other girls," Judge Beverly Carroll told her afterward.
"Wow! A lot of energy out there," City Manager, and judge, Scott Stevens, commented.
"I've had a great time," Mrs. Tanner said later. "It has been fun to do this. It's way out of my comfort zone."
Communities in Schools Executive Director Selena Bennett and Dan Ellis, executive vice president at Southern Bank and Trust in Mount Olive, donned bell bottoms and "big hair" for their disco number "Boogie Shoes" with Mrs. Robins Dance Academy.
Kirk Keller, an instructor and adviser at Wayne Community College, introducing himself as "Lord of the Neuse River Dance," created a bit of a stir with his costume, which featured a kilt. At one point during the routine, he raised the hem slightly, flashing a little leg.
When asked by Mrs. Carroll to share what was really beneath the kilt, he said that information was for those who paid more money for the privilege of sitting closer to the stage.
Since the evening was all about money generated for education, organizers kept a close eye on the top five generating the largest amount.
Going into the night, in addition to Mrs. Strickland, the top five included Ellis with $2,300, Mrs. Tanner with $2,195, Fremont STARS Elementary principal Sheila Wolfe with $1,770, and Mrs. Bennett with $1,875.
In the end, Mrs. Strickland maintained her lead and Mrs. Tanner had moved to second place. Others rounding out the top five were Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Barnes and Ellis.