Dancing with the Hawkettes sure to be entertaining
By Correne Martin
Prairie du Chien High School’s Hawkettes dance squad is back for a second season of dancing with local celebrities to raise funds for cancer research. Dancing with the Cancer Kickin’ Hawkettes will take place on Wednesday, April 27, at the Dousman House in Prairie du Chien. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the dancing starts at 7 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to come out to support their favorite dancing duo.
Community participants include Max Erickson, Prairie du Chien Police Department; Nathan Gevlinger, Prairie du Chien Schools; Jimmy Jones, Edward Jones Investments; Dan Moris, Q94 Radio; Paul Morovits, Crawford Chiropractic; Tom Nelson, community volunteer; Dr. Michael Rogge, Mayo Clinic-Franciscan Health Care; Brent Sheckler, Suppz Gym; Jan Waller, Peoples State Bank; Tony Wedgeworth, Lori Knapp Companies; Bob Witt, community volunteer.
During the dancing competition, each gentleman is paired with a Hawkette dancer to perform a one- to two-minute dance routine to music of varying genres selected by the duo. In the end, spectators cast votes for their favorites for $1 apiece.
“Many of the dancers have their friends, family and coworkers who vote to support them,” Hawkettes Coach Kelli Saxe noted. “However many do vote for the best dancers too. If they are voting for the best dancers, people should consider who was the most entertaining to watch and had the best showmanship.”
Tickets, which include dinner, a seat to view the competition and one vote, may be purchased at A Cut Above or through Mary Ann Heisz, local cancer survivor and event co-coordinator, at 326-6015. They may also be purchased online at http://relayforlife.org/DancingHawkettesWI or by emailing relayforlifePDC@gmail.com and asking for tickets to be reserved.
All proceeds will be donated to the 2016 Great River Relay For Life, scheduled for July 30 at Prairie du Chien High School.
“This is a great way for my team to get involved in the community and donate their time for a great cause,” Saxe said. “It’s good for them to give back to all the people who support them and to take in this whole experience. It gives them the opportunity to meet people who help in our community and it allows them to be a part of a group who works for a good cause. For the most part, the girls are excited to have the opportunity to do this again. It ends up being a lot of fun.”
Hawkettes participating this year include Stephanie Elmquist, Bree Holler, Lauren Kennedy, Morgan Kiesau, Autumn Kohler, Katie Licht, Kina Myers, Caitlin Nolan, Lindsey Ohlert, Paige Severson and Katie Zahara. Many of these girls are returning from last year’s cast, with the exception of Kennedy, Myers and Severson.
The Hawkettes are choreographing their own routines, which has been a challenge for them, according to Saxe.
“The local celebrities were given the option of either selecting their song, or suggesting songs or a genre they would prefer. Then the girls were responsible for getting their song cut and making up choreography to the song,” Saxe explained. “I have helped direct them, suggesting song ideas and thinking of ideas for some of their choreography if they get stuck on ideas. They’ve done a good job of pulling inspiration from routines we’ve done in the past, especially the routine we do annually with our parents. They’ve also looked on YouTube for ideas.”
Just like the high school dancers, a number of the local celebrities have admitted they’re also stepping outside their comfort zones. Some are competitive while others are entertaining. But their bravery to step out onto the dance floor is all for a good cause, to raise money for the Great River Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.
Dancing with the Cancer Kickin’ Hawkettes is sponsored by The Barn Restaurant, the PdC Hawkettes and the PdC Class of 1986.
