Four members of the Darlington Community will take the stage in the 5th Annual Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Rome City Auditorium. All proceeds from this almost-sold-out event benefit the Sexual Assault Center of NWGA.
Darlington participants include Yensen Lambert, chair of the world languages department; current parent Amie Sabourin, president of the Fine Arts Booster Club; faculty spouse Nicky Mann, the husband of ELA-2 Spanish and art teacher Susan Mann; and parent of alumni Christa (Cline) Jackson ('73T), who is the director of admission and development at St. Mary's Catholic School.
"It's always so much fun to see members of our community shine in this annual dance competition," said Tannika Wester, director of communications at Darlington and member of the SAC Board of Directors. "This will be the fourth year that Yensen has participated as one of our dance instructors, and she is actually the only person to have won both the Judges' Choice and the People's Choice awards up to this point.
"We are so happy to have Amie back for her second year as an instructor; I know she has something really fun in store for the audience," Wester continued. "We look forward to welcoming Susan Mann's husband, Nicky, who is excited to be an instructor. He is paired with Christa Jackson, who will be an absolute delight as one of our celebrity contestants!"
Modeled after the popular reality TV show “Dancing With the Stars,” the Rome Celebrity Dance Challenges features performances by 10 celebrity teams, with styles ranging from hip hop to ballroom.
The full lineup includes:
• John Burnette of John Burnette Agency – Farmers Insurance dancing with Danielle Leonard of Baird Ballet
• Dr. Ryan Cox of Pridemore Cox Orthodontics dancing with Yensen Lambert of Darlington School and the YMCA of Rome
• Mark Cochran of Cevian Design Lab dancing with Julie Arrant of Rome Athletic Club and the YMCA of Rome
• Christa Jackson of St. Mary’s Catholic School dancing with Nicky Mann, former member of the Berry College Dance Troupe
• Tim Naddy of Affinity Intelligence dancing with his wife, Jennifer Naddy of Dr. Miniyar's Pediatrics
• Chris Parker of Coosa High School dancing with Hannah Camacho of The Dance Centre
• Jim Powell of Georgia Northwestern Technical College dancing with JoAnna Parker of Baird Ballet and The Dance Centre
• Dr. Frank Russo-Alesi of Harbin Clinic dancing with Kathy Baird of Baird Ballet
• Scott Sauer of Rome International Paper dancing with Katie Kiser of Baird Ballet and The Dance Centre
• Jay Shell of Brewhouse Music &Grill dancing with Amie Sabourin of The Dance Centre
After performing, each team will be critiqued by a panel of judges, including Shell Benjamin, chair of the theatre department and assistant professor of theater and dance at Shorter University; Lauren Edmunds, studio manager at Cumming Dance Academy; Melbin de la Cruz, Atlanta-area dance instructor; and Joey Parrott of Dalton Little Theatre.
Teams will compete for the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award, which will be determined by the audience. Audience members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites, in the form of funds donated, in between each performance. You can also support your favorite team by voting online at www.romecelebritydancechallenge.com.
“The Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia provides critical services to five counties in our region,” said Tina Brinson, president of the Board of Directors. “Unfortunately, as is the case with many non-profit organizations, our budget has been cut continuously over the past several years. We ask for your support so that we can continue to serve survivors of this terrible crime. By simply attending this event, you are making a contribution to a very worthwhile cause and helping us raise awareness in our community. Plus, I guarantee that you will love the show!”
