CEDAR CITY — The annual “Dancing with the Community Stars” event raised more than $85,000 for the Iron County Children’s Justice Center, organizers said.
Judges’ choice winner Becca Whittaker and Matt Edwards perform a 1950s ballroom dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Performing before a packed house at Cedar City’s Heritage Center Theatre on Tuesday evening, selected community members teamed up with their professionally trained partners as they made their way through a variety of musical selections spanning almost a century.
The evening’s eight competitors were, in order, as follows: mortgage broker Mark Gibson, civic and university leader Tessa Douglas, chiropractic doctor Becca Whittaker, civil engineer Dallas Buckner, real estate associate Rene Cole, real estate agent Matt Bagley, Parowan Mayor Mollie Halterman and banking official Cordelle Morris.
Keeping with the theme of “Dancing through the Decades,” the numbers were presented in chronological order, starting with the 1930s jazz number “Rock It for Me” and ending with a hip-hop performance of “Get Low” from the early 2000s.
After each of the performances, the panel of four judges took turns giving feedback and assigning a score between 1-10. In actuality, the range was much narrower, as the only scores handed out were 9’s and 10’s all evening. Even so, a couple of the judges tried to crank it up to 11 a few times, with Randy Allen even attempting to give a 12 to Buckner.
“The bar was set high right from the first,” said fellow judge Dave Staheli, who was one of last year’s top winners.
The judges’ choice award went to Whittaker, who teamed with Matt Edwards in performing a ballroom dance to the 1950s Frank Sinatra hit “Come Fly With Me.” In her introductory video clip, Whittaker shared her remarkable story of recovery from a physically debilitating health issue a few years ago.
Cordelle Morris and Brooke Randall perform a hip-hop dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
The people’s choice award went to Morris, who teamed with dance partner Brook Randall for their “Get Low” performance, clad in black and gold jumpsuits and sporting white headbands.
The final trophy given out was the prestigious grand champion award, given to the “mover and shaker” who raised the most money for the Iron County Children’s Justice Center. That award went to Buckner, who paired with Melissa Lyman in performing to the Elvis Presley hit “Jailhouse Rock.”
Earlier in the evening, the Tom Braun Award for Outstanding Service in the Community was presented to Jennifer Davis, board president of Friends of Iron County Children’s Justice Center.
Organizers thanked the attendees and sponsors for their generous support, which will help the center continue to provide a comprehensive range of services and support for victims of child abuse.
Construction of Iron County’s new children’s justice center facility is already underway, with officials having broken ground in Enoch last month.
“While we’re having a top-notch entertainment and friends’ night, we know we are here for a purpose – a community coming together to support our children’s justice center,” said Wendy Jessen, director of Iron County Children’s Justice Center.
Other highlights of Tuesday’s program included intermediary numbers performed by the IMPAC Troupe, Ignite Tour Company, Tiana Green and event hosts Tamera Merkley and Brandon Burk.
All competitors took the stage at the end for the grand finale, dancing to “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
For more information about the Iron County Children’s Justice Center, including how to donate, visit its page on Iron County’s website or call 435-867-4275.
Photo Gallery
Matt Gibson and Brinly Fawcett dance to 1930s jazz tune “Rock it for Me” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Matt Gibson and Brinly Fawcett dance to 1930s jazz tune “Rock it for Me” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Matt Gibson and Brinly Fawcett dance to 1930s jazz tune “Rock it for Me” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Event judge Randy Allen holds up a scorecard during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Tessa Douglas and partner Tristan Kasier perform during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Tessa Douglas and partner Tristan Kasier perform during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Tessa Douglas and partner Tristan Kasier perform during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Judges’ choice winner Becca Whittaker and Matt Edwards perform a 1950s ballroom dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Judges’ choice winner Becca Whittaker and Matt Edwards perform a 1950s ballroom dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Judges’ choice winner Becca Whittaker and Matt Edwards perform a 1950s ballroom dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Dallas Bucker and Melissa Lyman perform to the Elvis Presley hit “Jailhouse Rock” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Dallas Bucker and Melissa Lyman perform to the Elvis Presley hit “Jailhouse Rock” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Dallas Bucker and Melissa Lyman perform to the Elvis Presley hit “Jailhouse Rock” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Members of the IMPAC Troupe perform the intermediary musical number “Aquarius” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Rene Cole and Brian Evans perform to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Rene Cole and Brian Evans perform to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Rene Cole and Brian Evans perform to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Matt Bagley and Shanae Hulet dance to a Michael Jackson medley during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Matt Bagley and Shanae Hulet dance to a Michael Jackson medley during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Matt Bagley and Shanae Hulet dance to a Michael Jackson medley during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Parowan Mayor Mollie Halterman and partner Josh V. perform an interpretive dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Parowan Mayor Mollie Halterman and partner Josh V. perform an interpretive dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Cordelle Morris and Brooke Randall perform a hip-hop dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Cordelle Morris and Brooke Randall perform a hip-hop dance during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
“Dancing with the Community Stars” hosts Tamera Merkley and Brian Burk perform intermediary musical number “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Iron County Children’s Justice Center director Wendy Jessen and state program director Tracey Tabet thank audience members for their support during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Tiana Green performs an intermediary musical solo during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Friends of Iron County Justice Center board president Jennifer Davis reacts after receiving the Tom Braun Award for Outstanding Service in the Community during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Becca Whittaker and dance partner Matt Edwards receive their judge’s choice award trophy during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Cordelle Morris and dance partner Brooke Randall receive their people’s choice award trophy during “Dancing with the Community Stars” fundraiser, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Dallas Buckner, winner of the grand champion award for top fundraiser, receives trophy from last year’s winner Dave Staheli, during “Dancing with the Community Stars”, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 14, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.