ANDERSON, Ind. — On the night when ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” winner Donny Osmond was named, 12 local figures emerged as the cast of the second Dance Like the Stars competition.

During the Holiday Ballroom Dance at the Paramount Theatre Centre on Tuesday night, organizer Kay Anderson paused to present the fledgling dancers training for the January event.

While most said they were eager to raise funds for the Paramount, each was less than convinced of his or her own abilities. Most admitted to having no formal dance training.

“Dance Like the Stars? Maybe like a falling star,” said Mike McKenzie, dean at Anderson High School.

“My entire performance career consists of being in Spring Sing at Ball State (University) in 1981,” said attorney Thomas Beeman.

Most of the contestants have already been in training for a month, like Marin Bledsoe Brown of Community Hospital Anderson.

“I had my husband videotape the first lesson,” she said Tuesday. “And everyone in my family laughed.”

Reactions to being chosen ranged from amusement to borderline terror.

“The attitude I’m taking, is that I’m just going to have fun with it,” said real estate agent Carla Rigsby. She paused, then chuckled, “It also helps my nerves.”

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Nicole Eicks, owner of The Salon Professional Academy. “But it’s going to be a lot more serious work than I anticipated.”

How does state representative candidate Kim Builta feel about the event?

“Can’t you ask me something easy,” she said, laughing, “like a political question?”

“I’m very excited, but I’m nervous because it is a hard task to take on,” said the youngest contestant, AHS sophomore Victoria Kennedy, daughter of Brian and Beth Kennedy.

Most of the contestants said that they agreed to do it to help the Paramount.

“Plus, I get to dress up and wear heels and be the center of attention,” said J.B. Shelton, part-owner of Clip Zone, “which is never a problem for me.”

“It’s an interesting world,” said Joe Clark, financial planner and columnist for The Herald Bulletin. “I heard somebody mention the cha cha once, but I didn’t know I would ever dance it.”

“I never in a million years thought I would enjoy this,” said Nancy Anderson of the United Way. “And it’s been so much fun.”

Contact Rodney Richey, 640-4861, rodney.richey@heraldbulletin.com.



The dancers and their instructors are:

Dance Like the Stars 2010

Nicole Eicks, owner, The Salon Professional Academy

Sponsor: The Salon Professional Academy

Instructor: Rob Jenkins, Riolo Dance

Dance: Tango



Mike McKenzie, dean, Anderson High School

Sponsor: Friends of Anderson Community Schools

Instructor: Melodie Carr, First Dance and Two Left Feet

Dance: Swing



J.B. Shelton, part-owner of Clip Zone

Sponsor: Clip Zone Hair Salon and Day Spa

Instructor: Drew Kolditz, Riolo Dance

Dance: Mambo



Kim Builta, candidate for State Representative

Sponsor: Committee to Elect Kim Builta

Instructor: Scott Shook, Starlite Ballroom

Dance: Medley of Dance



Nancy Anderson, United Way

Sponsors: Primrose Retirement Communities; Tire Barn; Quirk, Rivers and Hunter Law Firm

Instructor: Dean Oldham, Arthur Murray

Dance: Hustle



Carla Rigsby, Anderson Realtor

Sponsors: Century 21 Realty Group, MetLife Home Loans, Orleans Construction Inc., Sentry Trust Title

Instructor: Anthony Whitacre

Dance: Cha Cha



Victoria Kennedy, Anderson High School sophomore

Sponsor: Kennedy Enterprises

Instructor: Niki Malyeyev from Kokomo

Dance: Cha Cha



Marin Bledsoe Brown, Community Hospital

Sponsor: Community Hospital of Anderson

Instructor: Ryan Hutchins, Riolo Dance

Dance: Salsa



Dr. Carey McLaughlin, dentist

Sponsor: Carey B. McLaughlin, DDS, Inc.

Instructor: Marie Roach, owner of Riolo Dance

Dance: Argentine Tango and Rumba



Dr. Phillip Goshert, physician

Sponsor: Saint John’s Health System

Instructor: Monica Lung, Studio Rhythms

Dance: Rumba



Thomas Beeman, attorney

Sponsor: Beeman Law Office

Instructor: Jennifer Luna, Salsa Indy

Dance: To be decided



Joe Clark, financial planner

Sponsor: Clark Financial Services

Instructor: Sara Pitcher

Dance: Cha Cha