By Rodney Richey, Herald Bulletin Feature Writer
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
