Performers shine at Dancing with the Stars Kent

For the Reporter

Marley Prothero, Steve Vaught, Rhonda Billerbeck and Keri Scarff took top honors at the third annual Dancing with the Stars Kent competition Saturday in the Lindbloom Center at Green River Community College.

Kent Parks Foundation and Arthur Murray Dance Studios presented the program.

Proceeds from the sold-out event benefitted the return of pianist Alpin Hong for a Spotlight Series concert and educational assemblies at the Kent School District. Additional funds will help supply new tools for the Green Kent program.

Kent Parks Foundation and Arthur Murray Dance Studios presented the program.

Prothero and her professional dance partner, Travis Anderson, performed the East Coast swing. They attracted the Most Facebook Video Likes Award. Vaught and his professional dance partner, Tina Ghramm, did the Paso Doble, earning the Philanthropic Award. Billerbeck and her professional dance partner, Jeff Ghramm, won the People’s Choice Award for their jive performance. The Judges Choice Award went to Scarff and her professional dance partner, Washington Chim, who did the Lindy Hop.

Other dance partnerships for the competition were: Sean Allen and Lydia Ohm (pro) dancing the West Coast swing; Paula Barry and Even Taupea (pro) dancing the cha-cha; Kevin Hasslinger and Emily Kwon (pro) dancing the Argentine tango; Dennis Manes and Jackie Guyette (pro) dancing the tango; Bill Walters and Tyler Garner (pro) dancing the foxtrot; and Suzzette Wilder and Daniel Hill (pro) doing the salsa.

Arthur Murray provided dance training to the 10 contestants vying for the coveted mirror ball trophy.

Event officials were Rusk Clark, Dave Upthegrove and Agnes Kazmierczak, a champion dancer from Poland.

Sponsors included: Arthur Murray Dance School, Federal Way; Allegro Performing Arts Academy; Blanc ‘n Schwartz Salon; Bowan Scarff Ford-Lincoln; Curran Law Firm; Farrington Court; Gator’s Sports Bar & Grill; Hannis-Irvine-Prothero; Judy Woods; Kent Station; Kent Station Family Dentistry; Marti Reeder, realtor/broker/CRS; Minuteman Press of Kent; and Republic Services.

Event officials were Rusk Clark, Dave Upthegrove and Agnes Kazmierczak, a champion dancer from Poland.

Special thanks to: Russ Clark, area director for Arthur Murray international Inc.; and TJ Lacey, manager, Federal Way, Arthur Murray studio, district manager for Puget Sound Arthur Murray Schools of Dance, and executive assistant to Russ Clark.

LINK:

www.facebook.com/pages/Dancing-With-The-Stars-2013-Kent-Washington