Great River Relay for Life raises $5,000 at Dancing with the Stars
By Caitlin Bittner
Last Thursday night’s Great River Relay for Life event at the Barn Restaurant was a huge success. As a fundraising event, Dancing with the Stars was able to raise $5,000 for this year’s Relay.
With an overflowing ballroom, approximately 265 people crowded around the dance floor as soon as the competition began. Each area star was partnered with one of the Prairie du Chien High School Hawkettes. The participating couples were: Caitlin Nolan and Mark Forsythe, Morgan Kiesau and Chad Abram, Mariah Slaght and Dr. Steven Bush, Autumn Kohler and Rick Morovits, Katie Zahara and Jimmy Jones, Lindsey Ohlert and Jeff Nack, Ella Hein and Tony Wedgeworth, Stephanie Elmquist and Bill Sexton, Katie Licht and Aaron Amundson, and Bree Holler and Cousin Cletus (aka Mike McCoy).
The first couple to dance was Nolan and Forsythe. Their dance to “Shut Up and Dance” got them a score of 21 and ultimately helped them win the fundraising competition.
Winners were determined based on the combined number of judges votes and audience votes. In addition to the each audience member’s one vote per ticket, anyone could purchase more votes for their favorite couple during the event itself.
Highlights and fan-favorite moments of the event included Police Chief Chad Abram “the worm,” Jimmy Jones’ well-executed toe touches, Ella Hein and Tony Wedgeworth’s perfect score, and, of course, an appearance by Cousin Cletus.