Dancing with the Stars for Charity
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What is Dancing with the Stars for Charity (DWTS)?
DWTS is a fundraising event for local charities. It is championed by the incredible Kris Lake, and sponsored by the WCHS Performing Arts Center, WRSW 107.3, and Willie 103.5.
How does DWTS work?
A Warsaw Community Schools staff member is paired with a local community “star.” This pair works together under their student choreographers who come from the incomparable Bri Stewart’s Honors Dance class. The student choreographers create two dances from the ground up – including music, costumes, lights, and, of course, the epic moves!
Each team rehearses and prepares until the evening of the show during which they dance their heart out for a panel of judges and a sold-out house.
How are the winners decided?
The judges do present score cards, however, they are not the final say. That’s where the audience comes in! Each in-person audience member is able to cast one vote for the team of their choice. The votes then determine who comes in first, second, and third place, and takes home a coveted Mirror Ball Trophy!
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Where did the idea for DWTS come from?
The inspiration for Dancing with the Stars for Charity began long before the first couple ever stepped onto the stage at the Warsaw Performing Arts Center. Years earlier, while living in Illinois, Kris Lake participated as one of the community "stars" in a similar charity dance competition.
Despite having little dance experience (outside of live theatre), he embraced the challenge, ultimately winning the competition and taking home the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy for his charity, while witnessing firsthand the incredible impact the event had on local nonprofit organizations.
Although the Illinois event came to an end after just three years, the experience left a lasting impression. When Kris relocated to Indiana in late 2013, he knew he wanted to bring that same spirit of community, generosity, and friendly competition to Kosciusko County.
Turning that vision into reality didn't happen overnight. It took several years of planning, building community partnerships, and developing a format that would reflect the unique character of Kosciusko County while supporting local charities. Those efforts culminated in the inaugural Dancing with the Stars for Charity in 2018, introducing a one-of-a-kind fundraising event that combined entertainment with philanthropy.
Following a brief hiatus, the event returned in 2024 with renewed energy and an even greater sense of purpose. Now entering its fifth season, Dancing with the Stars for Charity has become one of the community's signature annual events, bringing together local celebrities, dedicated dancers, generous sponsors, and hundreds of audience members, all united by a common goal: making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
What began as an unforgettable experience on a dance floor in Illinois has grown into a cherished tradition in Kosciusko County, proving that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, extraordinary things can happen.
Wall of Fame
Here, the first, second, and third place winners are listed for each year Dancing with the Stars for Charity has been ongoing.
All of the dancers are stars, but these groups blew away the audiences each year and received the most votes!
The winning teams walk away with the coveted Mirror Ball trophies for each member.
Each charity is also presented with their own Mirror Ball trophy, a certificate, and a check!
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1st Place: Ben Rice & Hayley Horlick
2nd Place: Shaun Mudd & Kelly Bradley
3rd Place: Glenn Hall & Courtney Walters
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Here, dancers Ben Rice and Hayley Horlick celebrate their victory with their choreographers Lexi Reece and Kenna Miller!
Team Totally Rad danced for Big Brothers Big Sisters!
Read more about this year’s event HERE!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana creates one-to-one mentoring relationships that help ignite the power and promise of youth. By matching caring adult mentors with children in the community, the organization builds confidence, fosters positive relationships, and empowers young people to reach their full potential. Learn more at their website!
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1st Place: Griffin Heckaman & Karris Hissley
2nd Place: Joel Duran & April Slone
3rd Place: Kelly Bradley
2025 Winners caught in a moment of julibation by Ink Free News!
Malori McDanies, Karris Nissley, Kayanna Secrest, Griffin Heckaman
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1st Place: Trace Hansen & Karri Morgan
2nd Place:Paul Zakaria & Suzanne Stokes
3rd Place: Randy Polston & Lakesha Green
Joe’s Kids director, Rebecca Bazzoni, dancers Trace Hansen and Karri Morgan, and choreogrpher Victoria Peloza bask in their victory! Photo Provided by Ink Free News.
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1st Place: Phil Kuhn & Yoder
2nd Place: Jason Gergley & Sarah Reed
3rd Place: Michael Curtis & Michelle Hansen
The winners of the First Annual Dancing with the Stars for Charity in their hard-earned spotlight!
The Local Reach
The true measure of Dancing with the Stars for Charity isn't found in the scores or the trophies; it's found in the lives that have been impacted. Through ticket sales, contestant-led fundraising efforts, merchandise sales, corporate sponsorships, and even generous anonymous donations made outside of the event itself, our community has come together in extraordinary ways to support local nonprofit organizations. In just four seasons, Dancing with the Stars for Charity has generated nearly $95,000 for 33 local charities, providing much-needed financial support to organizations that work tirelessly to improve the lives of those throughout Kosciusko County. Every ticket purchased, every donation made, and every cheer from the audience have played a part in making that impact possible, proving that when a community rallies behind a common cause, incredible things can happen.
Organizations Impacted by Dancing with the Stars for Charity
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