You may view photos of our first annual event at WRAL here
Dancer Photographs will be on display and for sale at the Artists’ Loft until Friday, September 18th. Proceeds from the sale of photos will be shared by the Lee County Arts Council and Communities in Schools of Lee County. The Artists’ Lost is located above the Shops at Steele Street (102 S. Steele St) and is open 12-5 Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and 10-5pm on Friday.
Videos of the event are also available. For those interested, please contact Curtis Brown at (919)774-6580.
Votes are $10 each, which goes towards bringing community resources into the classrooms of Lee County.
Dancers and Stars
- Cortney McCullough/Billy Liggett
- Dana Atkins/Gregg Hamm
- Scott Schaeffer/Jo (Josephine) Jarrett
- Karla Koballa/Wing Man Tam
- Kenneth Neilsen/Paige Cabe
- Carolyn Schaeffer/Mike Neal
- Janel Livingston/Tracy Carter
- Dana Slate/Carl Bryan
- Courtney Smith/Jeff Smith
- Audrey Stone /Bill Stone
- David Morse/Toni Davenport
- John Mangum/Ellen Mangum
- Matt LaSasso/Katherine Southard
- Edwardo (Dwight) Hollingsworth /Joni Pavlik
- Bud Hunter/Jan Stewart
Final Dancer Rankings for Dancing with the Lee County Stars:
- Karla Koballa & Wing Man Tam
- David Morse & Toni Davenport*
- Dana Atkins & Gregg Hamm
- Dana Slate & Carl Bryan**
- Kenneth Neilson & Paige Cabe
- Cortney McCullough & Billy Liggett
- Janel Livingston & Tracy Carter
- Scott Schaeffer & Jo Jarrett
- Courtney Smith & Jeff Smith
- Bud Hunter & Jan Stewart
- John & Ellen Mangum
- Carolyn Schaeffer & Mike Neal
- Audrey & Bill Stone
- Joni Pavlik & Dwight Hollingsworth
- Matt LaSasso & Katherine Southard (Miss NC 2009)
*Received most votes/donations during the event
**Artistic Winners
About the Dancers and Stars
Billy Liggett is editor of The Sanford Herald. He and his wife Jennifer moved to Sanford in 2007. They are the proud parents of two dogs and a baby girl, due September 24th 2009. In his free time, Billy hosts weekly radio show “The Rant”, enjoys sports and loves to hike with his family.
Dana Atkins is the owner of DWA photography in downtown Sanford. She is a longtime supporter of Communities in Schools and is excited about this particular fundraiser. Married to Brandon Atkins, Dana has two girls- Clarice and Evelyn.
Gregg Hamm is the owner of Chef Hamm Inc/ Cafe 121. Gregg is participating two fold- both as a dancer and as a restaurant in the Taste of Lee County. He enjoys spending time with friends and his 4 dogs. As a teacher in the Lee County school system, Greg has a huge passion for education.
Josephine (J0) Jarrett is Chairman of the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, BPW President, and Plant Manager of Hanesbrands, Inc. Originally from Eden, North Carolina Jo is looking forward to doing something “out of the box” by dancing in this fundraiser.
Scott Schaeffer and wife Carolyn retired and moved to Carolina Trace from Virginia in 2006. They have four grown and married children, as well as two grandchildren with two more on the way this year. Most importantly, they have two dogs, Jazz, a Bichon and Dancer, a Snoodle that are dancers also! Before retiring they danced competitively in the UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council) dance circuit for seven years.
Karla Koballa is a native of Sanford. She represents Cooper Mechanical Contractors to whom she has been employed for 15 years. Member of First Baptist Church of Sanford, Karla has a 21 year old son that is a rising senior at Appalachian State University. Dancing has always been a part of her life. In particular, she has been a member of the Sanford Area Society of Shaggers for 15 years.
Wing Man Tam is a Senior Director of Manufacturing at Wyeth Biotech in Sanford, NC. Wing Man has 29 years of pharmaceutical and chemical experience. As a senior leader at the Wyeth Sanford Facility, Wing Man is happy to be participating in CIS’s Dancing with the Stars. Wyeth Sanford has long enjoyed a close relationship with CIS of Lee County, promoting the importance of education and preparing youngsters for tomorrow’s workforce, two values Wing Man strongly believe in.
Paige Cabe is a native of Sanford, having graduated from Lee County Senior High in 1985. After moving away for college and law school, Paige returned to Sanford in 2000. She has operated her own law practice in downtown Sanford since 2005. Paige loves to dance and is excited to be helping the efforts of CIS. Paige has been married to Billy Cabe for 19 years. They have three children, Savannah, Lindsay and Cameron. Paige is an active member of First Babtist Church. She formerly served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and she volunteers at B.T. Bullock Elementary.
Kenneth Neilsen is a master potter and the co-owner of DK Clay Pottery in downtown Sanford. He began taking ballroom dancing lessons in 2004 and continues to enjoy the sport with his girlfriend, Glenda Westbrook. He is a member of the Carolina Pines Chapter of USA Dance and has attended several conferences and dancing events across the state from Asheville to Wilmington, NC.
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Carolyn Schaeffer and husband Scott retired and moved to Carolina Trace from Virginia in 2006. They have four grown and married children, as well as two grandchildren with two more on the way this year. Most importantly, they have two dogs, Jazz, a Bichon and Dancer, a Snoodle that are dancers also! Before retiring they danced competitively in the UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council) dance circuit for seven years.
Mike Neal has worked at Central Carolina Community College since 1990 as the Athletic Director and Student Activities Director. Married to Tanya Neal, Mike has two children- Elissa, age 11 and Jacob, age 7. In his spare time, Mike coaches children’s basketball and soccer teams as well as manage the Senior Games of Lee County. Mike does not dance on a regular basis and this is the first “competition” that he has participated in.
Janel Livingston resides in Sanford, North Carolina. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Livingston and has two sisters named Jamie and Jewel. She is currently employed by Verizon Wireless of Southern Pines, where she works as a wireless consultant. Holding an associates degree in applied science from EPI School of Technology in Greensboro, Janel is excited to have the opportunity to become active in her community.
Tracy Carter was elected Sheriff of Lee County in 2006. He is Lee County born and raised, graduating from Lee Senior High School in 1984. Sheriff Carter serves on the board for the Boys and Girls Club of Sanford, is a member of the San Lee Sunrise Rotary Club, the Lee County Wildlife Club and is a member of the Church of God of Prophecy. He and his wife Angie have been married twenty-two years and have four children.
Dana Slate was born and raised in Sanford. She and her husband have two beautiful children. Dana is a lifelong dancer and has close to 10 years teaching tap, ballet, acrobatics, hip-hop, and jazz with Kelly’s School of Dance. Dana is enthusiastic about helping Communities in Schools of Lee County.
Carl Bryan is the Department Chair of Social Science and Wellness and a PE instructor at Central Carolina Community College. He has coached for several local organizations- Sanford Area Soccer League, Lee County Pop Warner, Broadway Optimist Baseball and Upward Basketball. He is married to former High Kicking Heel (UNC- Dance Team) Wendy Bryan, and they have two children (Pait, 10 years old and Carrie Ellen, 3 years old). His favorite bands are Van Halen, ChickenFoot, and the Beastie Boys, and realizes his dance partner has an uphill battle in teaching him how to dance!
Courtney Smith was born and raised in Sanford, and is the daughter of dance partner, Jeff. She is a rising Junior at UNC- Greensboro and has spent the summer throughout the Southeast with Lifeway Ministries. Courtney regrets what little time she has to practice with her dad; however, she has over ten years experience dancing with Kelly’s School of Dance.
Jeff Smith is a native of Sanford and is the owner of Lee Tire and Supply on Wicker Street. He and his wife, Cathy, are active members of First Babtist Church and have two daughters: Courtney, 20 and Molly, 15. Jeff has been dancing to Disco music since his days at Lee Senior High School and looks forward to showing his moves and support for his hometown schools in the upcoming competition.
Audrey Stone is the school counselor at Greenwood Elementary School and is representing Lee County Schools’ student services. “We work very hard to remove any barriers to learning that are out of a child’s control and Communities in Schools plays a vital role in aiding us with that.” She enjoyed tap dancing for 14 years and is excited to have a reason to talk her husband into enjoying the stage with her.
Bill Stone works for and is representing Lee County NC Cooperative Extension, where he has been the 4-H Youth Development Director for 9 years. Bill loves to fish and garden, and has never EVER enjoyed dancing, but is willing to do anything to help the children of Lee County.
David Morse lives in Pinehurst, NC and owns and operates Sports World located in Rockingham, NC. He has two daughters- Parker, 22 and Avery, 19. David graduated from Wingate College where he was a member of the Men’s Tennis Team and is still a very avid tennis player. He began shagging last year in Hamlet, NC, dancing under the instruction of Sam West. David is a strong believer in the education of our youth and is eager to help CIS of Lee County in this exciting venture.
Toni Davenport was born and raised in Sanford, NC and graduated from East Carolina University. She has two children- Sara, 29 (soon to be married in October) and Christian, 27. Her hobbies include tennis, boating, and spending as much time at the beach as she can. She attends St.Luke United Methodist Church. She has always enjoyed dancing, and shagging is her favorite. She has worked in her family business, J.T. Davenport, since 1983. Toni has been a supporter of the Lee County School System for years by encouraging company donations and volunteering in various activities.
John Mangum and Ellen grew up in the small town of Faison, NC. He attended UNC at Chapel Hill, recieving degrees in Psychology and Medicine. After living in Charlotte during John’s residency, the Mangums moved to Sanford in 1984. Since then, John has worked as physician at Sanford Medical Group. John belongs to the Sanford Rotary Club and serves on the local hospital board. The Mangums have three grown sons, Joseph, Daniel, and Eric. They attend St. Luke Methodist Church.
Ellen Mangum and John grew up in the small town of Faison, NC. She attended UNC at Chapel Hill, receiving a degree in Education. Ellen currently works as director of St. Luke Preschool. Hobbies for Ellen are tennis, walking, reading, gardening, and painting. Ellen is a member of the Lee County Board of Education and the local YMCA board. The Mangums have three grown sons, Joseph, Daniel, and Eric. They attend St. Luke Methodist Church.
Matt LaSassois a 21 year old resident of Garner NC. A 2006 graduate of Wake Christian Academy, he is currently an undergraduate student of business at Liberty University in Lynchburg Virginia. Matt’s goal in life is to attain his MBA, work for a Fortune 500 company, learn all the he can, open his own firm, and conquer the business world and achieve nothing less than total financial domination, all while remaining completely humble.
Katherine Southard, a UNC Charlotte graduate student, was recently crowned Miss North Carolina 2009. Katherine is a 2007 Magna Cum Laude Elon University graduate. Last year, Katherine, a long-time sufferer of scoliosis, competed in the Miss North Carolina Pageant promoting her platform, Scoliosis: Ahead of the Curve. She was named 2nd runner-up and received the Miracle Maker Award. This year she was named a talent preliminary winner and was awarded the title of Miss North Carolina 2009. Katherine will go on to compete in the 2010 Miss America pageant on January 30, 2010 in Las Vegas.
Edwardo (Dwight) Hollingsworth is a Sanford, NC native. He currently is an instructor of Cosmetology at Central Carolina Community College. Dwight has taught in the North Carolina Community College system for over eight years and thoroughly enjoys serving the community. His passions include cutting hair and cooking. Most of all, Dwight states he would not be where he was today without the Lord.
Joni Pavlik is the Dean of Business and Media Technologies and Public Services at Central Carolina Community College. She is representing CCCC, who believes in meeting the educational needs ot the community. CIS of Lee County has the same belief. Joni has been in education for 30 years, therefore, any cause to assist in the educational needs of the community is well worth her time and energy. She is a native of New Orleans, the birthplace of JAZZ! She has never danced professionally, but has come from a city where music is the essence of one’s soul. She currently resides in Chatham County with husband, Ray, two dogs and a cat! “Let’s Zydeco!”
Bud Hunter is currently retired. He served as Sanford’s GKN Manufactoring Manager for 30 years. Bud has lived in the Sanford area all of his life and has been dancing for over 20 years. He has competed in various Shag and Line Dancing contests in both North and South Carolina. His Shag Line Team competed for over 5 years in Myrtle Beach and recently won 1st place! They then went on to the Grand Nationals held in Atlanta, GA and finished 3rd nationally!
Jan Stewart has been employed at Central Carolina Hospital Pharmacy for several years. Prior to the hospital, she worked retail with REVCO pharmacy (now CVS). Her hobbies include dancing, traveling, and golfing. She attempts to golf and dance at least weekly. Jan’s dancing experience consists of numerous lessons and weekly dancing. She has been dancing about four years and enjoys every minute. She has two children, Micheal and Blake.
