20 stars set to shine
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 24, 2017 1:45 AM
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Mandy Raabe
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Lori Herring
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Kelly Helms
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Rev. Jim Harry
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Amie Garmendia
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Chrétien Dumond
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Jennifer Sumler
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Judith Gray
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Sam Steed
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Veronica Davis
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Beverly Boltinhouse
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Dr. William Vann
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Heath Radford
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Melanie Harper
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Linzy Howell
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Ashley Worley
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Lou Rose
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Katrina Reynolds
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Bennett Johnson
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Lester Boltinhouse
Twenty contestants have signed on to participate in the Dancing Stars of Wayne County, a fundraiser for local education.
This is the seventh time for the event and the second one being held in 2017. The previous one, held Jan. 5, had been postponed from Nov. 2016 due to Hurricane Matthew.
Patterned after the popular TV show, "Dancing With the Stars," it pairs residents with students from local dance studios.
It is sponsored by Wayne Education Network, an arm of the Chamber of Commerce. Among the activities the funds support are teacher scholarships, stipends and mini grants, middle school career fair, teacher job fair, teacher welcome breakfast and the Golden Rule incentive program for educators.
Dancing Stars will take place Friday evening, Nov. 3, at the Paramount Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The premise is simple -- whoever raises the most money wins.
Voting has already begun, said Lara Landers, director of marketing and events with the Chamber.
Votes are $10 each and are done online, she said, at the website, www.wayneeducationnetwork.org and the night of the event.
"We want everyone to come out and vote for their favorite star," Landers said.
Monetary votes will be accepted until the last star dances, she added.
Tickets for the event are $75 each, which includes a seat, heavy hors oeuvres and five votes.
The tickets can be purchased at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce office on William Street.
Contestants and the studio choreographing their dance program are the following:
Academy of Performing Arts
Veronica Davis, marketing director, Strickland Insurance Group
Linzy Howell, peer support specialist on Assertive Community Treatment Team at Waynesboro Family ClinicDr. William Vann, principal, Wayne Middle /High Academy
Ashley Worley, family nurse practitioner, Goldsboro Pediatrics
A Step of Class
Kelly Helms, sales and marketing manager, Brookdale Berkeley Blvd.
Bennett Johnson, physical education teacher and football and basketball coach at Rosewood Middle School
Katrina Reynolds, transportation district supervisor, WCPS and Zumba fitness instructor, YMCA
Sam Steed, sales representative, Coca Cola Consolidated
Desiree Autrey's Academy of Performing Arts
ChrÃ(c)tien Dumond, author of "Sky Full of Stars: How Comparison Can Kill Your LIght," former substitute teacher with WCPS
Judith Gray, director of sales, Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Heath Radford, media coordinator, Eastern Wayne High School, formerly at Wayne County Public Library,, also in Center Stage Theater
Jennifer Sumler, staff accountant, Cheryl A. Alleman, CPA
Goldsboro School of Ballet
Beverly Boltinhouse, career and educational director, Wayne County Public Schools
Lester Boltinhouse, physical education teacher and coach at Spring Creek High School
Melanie Harper, LPN at the Health Department
Mandy Raabe, WCPS substitute teacher and Air Force wife, pursuing her master's degree in marriage and family therapy
Studio 33 Dance Company
Amie Garmendia, CMA Southeastern Medical Oncology Center
Rev. Jim Harry, senior minister at St. Paul United Methodist Church since 2009
Lori Herring, district sales coordinator at AFLAC
Lou Rose, WCPS digital teaching and learning coach.