Welcome

presents:

6th ANNUAL DANCING WITH THE W2 STARS!

Support the Cause on Saturday, October 7, 2023!

We are excited to bring the 6^th annual Dancing with the W2 Stars to our community and supporters. This year we have eight new dancers who have committed to raising funds for Valley Residential Services and participating in this competition.

The Walla Walla “stars” will be paired with dancers from the renowned Utah Ballroom Dance Company, who will spend a week teaching them a dance and how to compete.

On the night of the event, their judged scores will be combined with the dancers’ fundraising efforts to receive their final score. That’s where you come in.

Support your favorite dancer by donating money in their name by clicking on the red button below their bio. You do not need a ticket to make this donation and, in doing so, this will give dancers extra points to help them in the competition.

You can also help support the incredible work of VRS by:

Visiting the Facebook event page and click on “Interested” or “Going” to keep up to date on this fun event.
Buying your tickets to the event here.
Attending the event and participating in the fun games and raffles.

All the proceeds from donations, ticket sales, sponsorships, and advertisements from Dancing with the W2 Stars go to benefit the work of Valley Residential Services in the greater Walla Walla Valley, including Columbia County.

The goal of this year’s fundraiser is to increase the funding for our Supported Living and CORD clients to participate in a wide array of community activities. VRS relies on grants and fundraising for this program.

DANCER BIOS


Janet Byerley (Former Judge) Sponsored by Community Bank		Katie DePonty Sponsored by Banner Bank
Occupation: Fitness Instructor, Jazzercise How long have you lived in Walla Walla? My whole life (except during college years) Favorite Hobby: Power lifting What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla? Run and walk around Pioneer Park & Bennington Lake Favorite style of dance: Latin & Ballroom How much dance experience do you have? I’ve worked in dance fitness for 20 years, but minimal dance training. What would you consider your current dance style? Varied with fitness in mind. do you consider to be your biggest competition for the contest? TBD		Occupation: Organizational Lead for the Blue Zones® of Walla Walla Valley How long have you lived in Walla Walla? 15 years Favorite Hobby: Cooking What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla? I enjoy live music with friends and family over a glass of local wine or beer. Favorite style of dance? Salsa or Foxtrot What would you call your current dance style? Having as much fun as Elaine on Seinfeld Who is your dance idol? Cheryl Burke from ABC’s Dancing with the Stars How much dance experience do you have? Next to nothing Who do you consider to be your competition? TBD


Roger Esparza (Former Judge) Sponsored by Price Computers, LLC		Guy Glaeser Sponsored by Compass Financial Services
Occupation: Owner/Realtor at Bella Terra Real Estate How long have you lived in Walla Walla? All my life Favorite hobby: Outdoor activities with my family What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla? Hang out with friends and family Favorite style of dance: Hip Hop What do you call your current dance style? I don’t have one Who is your dance idol? Michael Jackson How much dance experience do you have? None Who do you consider to be your biggest competition? TBD		Occupation: Walla Walla’s Tallest Cheerleader at Visit Walla Walla How long have you lived in Walla Walla? 9 years Favorite hobby: Swimming, gardening, laundry, and travel What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla? Walking into town with my beautiul wife, swimming with the kids, drinking wine with friends Favorite style of dance: Broadway Show Dance or Salsa What do you call your current dance style? Living Room Dad Groove Who is your dance idol? Peter Boyle in Young Frankenstein or Tommy Tune How much dance experience do you have? I’ve been dancing my whole life . . . just not very well. Who do you consider to be your biggest competition? TBD


Taylor Kontos Sponsored by Kontos Cellars		Tabitha Pennington Sponsored by Accessible Walla Walla
Occupation: Shipping Director & Tasting Room Host at Force Majeure Vineyards How long have you lived in Walla Walla? 22 years Favorite Hobby: Going to the lake to paddle board, kayak, etc What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla? I love going to see my favorite local bands and dancing with my friends. Favorite style of dance: Swing & Jazz What do you call your current dance style? Jazz Who is your dance idol? Nancy Wells, my long-time dance instructor How much dancing experience do you have? Dance classes from age 2-15, Dance Team for two years, & 2 musicals Who do you consider to be your biggest competition? TBD		Occupation: HaIr Stylist/Salon Owner at Stellar Hair Company Lead Singer of SHANKS PONY How long have you lived in Walla Walla? Off and on since I was 10 years old Favorite hobby: Singing & Dancing What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla? Go out to eat! There are so many good restaurants! Favorite style of dance: Everything from Hip Hop to Ballet. Probably love Hip Hop the best even though I’m not necessarily good at it. What do you call your current dance style? Random . . . my band plays an eclectic mix which we call “Southern Funk-Rock”. We’ve also added line dancing to the mix. Who is your dance idol? Probably the late, great Tina Turner How much dance experience do you have? A bit . . . I started dancing as a little girl (ballet) and grew to do some modern and Jazz. I don’t consider myself technically advanced, but I love performing. Who do you consider to be your biggest competition? TBD?


Gerry Weber Sponsored by Michael J. Fluharty, CPA		Cody Worden Sponsored by Wall 2 Wall Furniture & Mattress
Occupation: I’m a care-giver first, but I’m also the owner/partner/winemaker of West Coast Wines with our L’atitude 47 brand of local wines. How long have you lived in Walla Walla? Almost 11 years total – I had my junior and senior years at Wa-Hi and moved back to Walla Walla around 2015. Favorite Hobby: Right now, that has to be pickleball! It’s the most fun, inclusive, sociable and accessible sport I’ve ever played and I hope to continue playing well into my senior years. That is, of course, assuming this Dancing with the Stars event doesn’t kill me. Public warning: Pickleball is HIGHLY addictive! What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla? Easy answer right now… Pickleball! Favorite style of dance: No particular favorites. I like most styles of lead / follow couples dancing. What do you call your current dance style? MY current style? Foot-forward, approachable, light-bodied, mostly balanced with subtle hints of competence. Who is your dance idol? I don’t have any particular dance idols. I’d much rather be dancing than watching though I’m always impressed when I see dancers that look great together and are having fun. How much dancing experience do you have? Never enough! I’ve had a mix of miscellaneous dance classes over the years and some free beginner lessons at a few of the bars when I lived in Spokane and Boise. Who do you consider to be your biggest competition TBD		Occupation: Firefighter/Paramedic for the Walla Walla Fire Department How long have you lived in Walla Walla? 23 years Favorite hobby: Skiing What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla? Listen to live music Favorite style of dance: Swing Dancing (it’s the only one I know . . . kinda) What do you call your current dance style? “Just roll with the flow” Who is your dance idol? Napolean Dynamite How much dance experience do you have? Enough to draw a few laughts! (So not that much) Who do you consider to be your biggest competition? TBD