2023 – 6th Annual DW2S


presents:

Test – 6th ANNUAL DANCING WITH THE W2 STARS!

Support the Cause on Saturday, October 8, 2022!

We are excited to bring the 6th 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:

  1. Visiting the Facebook event page and click on “Interested” or “Going” to keep up to date on this fun event.
  2. Buying your tickets to the event here.
  3. 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 Byerly (Former Judge)

Sponsored by

Katie DePonty

Sponsored by

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.

Who 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

Guy Glaeser

Sponsored by

Occupation:

TBD

How long have you lived in Walla Walla?

TBD

Favorite hobby:

TBD

What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla?

TBD

Favorite style of dance:

TBD

What do you call your current dance style?

TBD

Who is your dance idol?

TBD

How much dance experience do you have?

TBD

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

Occupation:

Shipping Director & Tasting Room Host at Force Majeur 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

Cody Worden

Sponsored by

Occupation:

TBD

How long have you lived in Walla Walla?

TBD

Favorite Hobby:

TBD

What is your favorite thing to do in Walla Walla?

TBD

Favorite style of dance:

TBD

What do you call your current dance style?

TBD

Who is your dance idol?

TBD

How much dancing experience do you have?

TBD

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

 

Judging Panel

 

 

 

Michelle Conner
Vice President of Private Banking at Baker Boyer Bank

Jennifer Dilworth Northam
Director Of Alumni Relations at Whtiman College

Matt Mahan
Owner of Herring Funeral Home
(2022 DW2S 1st Place Winner)


Master of Ceremonies

Lawson Knight
Edward Jones
(2016 First Place Winner)

 

Co-HostChris Coates photo

Chris Coates
(2017 Second Place Winner)

 


 

Trophy Sponsor:

 

Backstage Interview Sponsor:

 

Print Sponsor:

 

Hair Sponsor:

 

Makeup Sponsor:

 

 

 

After Party Sponsors:

 

 

 

A big thanks to Walla Walla Housing Authority
for allowing our dancers and their professional counterparts to use their space for practice.

 

Silver Star Sponsors:
Banner Bank
Personal Touch Cleaning