Dancing Stars of Wayne County lineup begins
By Sierra Henry
Published in News on August 8, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/SIERRA HENRY
This year's contestants pose for a group photo with instructors from area dance schools on the front steps of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Organizers are still looking for a few brave competitors to participate in the fundraiser for the Wayne Education Network.
Dancing Stars of Wayne County is still searching for a few brave souls to participate in the eighth annual show in October.
According to Lara Landers, director of marketing and events for Wayne Education Network, Dancing Stars of Wayne County will begin working on their 2018 show this month.
Currently, there are 14 community members signed up to participate in the event, which is hosted by the Wayne Education Network.
Dancing Stars of Wayne County is a fundraising event that was started in 2011 by Wayne Education Network to raise money for scholarships and grants for teachers and students. The stars who volunteer to participate are placed with one of five dance studios in Wayne County to coordinate and perform a dance the night of the event.
"We started it because eight years ago, some business leaders came together and they wanted to do something to help education here in Wayne County," Landers said.
"It affects even the businesses because when people are recruiting doctors or nurses or industry leaders, they want to know about the school system and education."
The Network, which is affiliated with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, has funded a total of $129,000 in scholarships and grants, as well as other events for high school and middle school aged students. Beverly Carroll, chairwoman of the Wayne Education Network, said that events, such as Dancing Stars, are important in fostering a relationship between the schools and the community.
"Having been in education in Wayne County since '82, it is so important for the community to get behind the schools," Carroll said.
"A lot of people ask, 'why is the chamber involved in education?' To me, that's a no-brainer. The education system is growing the workforce for us for tomorrow. So, what better relationship than the education system and the chamber?"
Rhonda Greenup, a teacher from North Johnston High School in Johnston County, has already decided to participate in Dancing with the Stars. She said that fundraising events are needed to help take some of the burden of expenses in the classroom off of the teachers.
"I think it's a great opportunity to raise funds for the education system, to give teachers the opportunity to have grants because of the expense of having a classroom, the need for supplies, and the need for them to be creative in their instruction," Greenup said.
"We teach with what we have and we try to make the best with what we have. With society running at such a fast pace with technology, it's hard to keep up, so you have to be as creative as possible.
"Raising money for the education system in Wayne County -- this is a great opportunity."
Dancing Stars of Wayne County will be held on Friday, Oct. 26, at the Paramount Theatre in Goldsboro, with a cocktail hour starting at 6:30 p.m. Ticket sales begin in September and are priced at $75 each.
People will have the opportunity to begin voting for their favorite star in September for $10 per vote. For more information, call 919-734-2241 or email laral@waynecountychamber.com.