Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

Related Photos

  • Sarah and Rob Dyer stole the show dancing to a compilation of Michael Jackson hits during the Dancing With Our Stars competition, hosted by the Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council. The couple took first place out of the eight dance contestants. ROSALIND WALTERS/Register-News

    images_sizedimage_235192731
August 23, 2009

Girl Scouts present Dancing WIth Our Stars

By ROSALIND WALTERS

Register-News

MT. VERNON — In a ballroom filled with purple, black and silver balloons, the Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council presented a night of Dancing With Our Stars — local residents who created a dance routine and wowed those attending while raising money for the Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council.

Proceeds from the first event of its kind in the area will go toward the healthy lifestyles effort of Girl Scouts, according to event coordinator Amy Newell.

“It’s important, especially at that age, to learn about choosing healthy lifestyles from building healthy relationships, exercise and self-esteem,” Newell said.

Winners for the evening were Sarah and Rob Dyer, who performed a routine to the hit music of Michael Jackson. The competition votes for each routine were determined in the form of donations. Volunteer performers, sponsored by area organizations and businesses were: The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, with a self-sponsored group; Jim and June Evilsizer, who were sponsored by Ron and Paulette Schneider; the YMCA was a self-sponosred group; Cindy Bevis and Rosie Cosens were sponsored by Bevis Real Estate; Kate Renshaw and Carlos Velasquez were sponsored by Betsy and Donald Murphy; Rob and Sarah Dyer were sponsored by Newell Funeral Home; Derrick and Penni Quitsch were sponsored by Southern Illinois Harvest Festival; and Brandon Bullard was sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to raising funds for the Girl Scouts healthy lifestyles initiative, the funds will go toward additional events for troops within the council.

Judges for the evening included Mary Beth Mezo of Mt. Vernon Township High School, Wendy Rue of Centre Stage Studios and David Lister of WDML Radio. Performances ranged from ballroom dancing to the polka.

“We choreographed it ourselves and we wanted to pick out Michael Jackson songs that were kind of iconic,” Rob Dyer said. “It was so much fun to practice together, though. Every practice was like date night.”

Though the practices and performance was fun for the Dyers, the dancers weren’t the only ones making an night of it.

“It was a wonderful evening — great and unusual entertainment,” said Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. “It was a good time for a good cause for our young ladies. It gives them an excellent future.”

Dancing for the fund-raiser, the Dyers won first place on Saturday night, followed closely by the YMCA with Kate Renshaw and Carlos Velasquez as runners up. According to Newell, the evening produced more than $8,000 dollars.

The Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council hope to make the Dancing With Our Stars an annual event. Additional information about the council and area Girl Scout activities is available at 242-5079.

Text Only
Local
  • Start Smart program to start second season

    MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Department of Parks and Recreation will host a second season of Start Smart, a program that helps parents teach their children sports skills.

    February 8, 2012

  • Mayor declares February Black History Month

    MT. VERNON — February is Black History Month across the United States, but it is officially Black History Month in the city of Mt. Vernon as well.

    February 8, 2012

  • Church to host revival

    MT. VERNON — Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting a three-day Black History Month Celebration/Winter Revival in conjunction with Jefferson County Crusaders for Change.

    February 8, 2012

  • City approves track construction plans

    MT. VERNON —  The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved a resolution allowing a rail spur to be built onto Continental Tire the Americas property.

    February 8, 2012

  • fire fighter Fire fighters tour with military truck

    MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon Fire Department firefighter and Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Heiken brought a military tactical fire fighting truck to the 42nd Street Mt. Vernon Fire Department station on Tuesday.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations

    MT. VERNON — Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 2012 Citizen of the Year and Small Business Person of the Year.

    February 7, 2012

  • Crime Stoppers to release Watchdog Quarterly

    MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Crime Stoppers is gearing up to release its first Watchdog Quarterly.

    February 7, 2012

  • Two plead guilty in controlled substance cases

    MT. VERNON — Jefferson County courts recently saw two guilty pleas in controlled substance cases.

    February 7, 2012

  • The soccer field at Lincoln Park now named Steve Harrison Field

    MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved a resolution to name the soccer field at Lincoln Park Steve Harrison Field.

    February 7, 2012

  • Yeager Local woman's first book is published

    MT. VERNON — Janet Yaeger’s first children’s book, “Matilda’s Upside Down Smile,” is being released this week through Casa de Snapdragon Publishing Company of Albuquerque, N.M.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo