Press Release

WARSAW — The Warsaw Performing Arts Center, in collaboration with Kensington Digital Media, is reviving “Dancing with the Stars for Charity,” a fundraising extravaganza set to happen this spring.

After a five-year pause, this event returns to the stage of the Warsaw Community High School PAC on Saturday, March 23. It promises to be a cornerstone fundraiser, benefiting 11 local charities. Each participating team has rallied behind a regional not-for-profit, standing as their advocate on the stage. All proceeds from ticket sales will be divided among the nine charities, as well as supporting the WCHS dance department and Warsaw PAC.

A lineup of 18 luminaries from Kosciusko County will don their dancing shoes, collaborating with student choreographers from the WCHS dance department. Together, they’ll deliver an evening brimming with live entertainment and heartfelt community engagement.

Among the local celebrities taking center stage are Shawn Brown, Lake City Living Magazine; Chris Cage, Willie 103.5; Sea Grandon, Atelier; Lakesha Green, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts; Trace Hansen, Eastlake Skate Center; Mike King, 107.3 WRSW; Travis McConnell, McConnell Law and B&B Courthouse Market; Chris Plack, Cardinal Services; Randy Polston, Combined Community Services; Laura Rothhaar, Kosciusko Convention & Visitors Bureau; Jim Smith, Kosciusko County Sheriff; and Suzanne Stokes, Warsaw Parks Department.

Additionally, stars from Warsaw Community Schools include Angela Dieleman, WCHS/middle school orchestra teacher; Megan Dinse, WCHS Step One teacher; Kayla May, Eisenhower Elementary School BSL; Karri Morgan, Claypool Elementary School sixth-grade teacher; Mykayla Newman, Washington STEM Academy/kindergarten; and Paul Zakaria, WCHS senior class principal.

WCHS dance student choreographers include Courtney Brower, Emma Bradford, Dakota Gardner, Ella Gonzalez, Michael Hertel, Malori McDaniels, Victoria Peloza, Kennedy Polk, Shannon Smith, and Kaelyn Stoffel.

The evening’s emcees will be Kris Lake, the morning show host from 107.3 WRSW; and Brianne Stewart, WCHS dance instructor, who will oversee the student dance participation.

Various not-for-profit organizations will be supported through the efforts of each dancing team. Charities chosen include Joe’s Kids, Magical Meadows, Combined Community Services, Kosciusko County TNR, Cardinal Services, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, CASA of Kosciusko County, and Kate’s Kart.

Tickets for “Dancing with the Stars for Charity” event will be available for purchase starting in January.