Dancing With the Stars announces next couple, choreographer

If you are looking for an evening of entertainment with a benevolent side to it, then plan to be at the Grand Opera House of the South on the first weekend in May for the second “Dancing With the Stars, in a Caring Way” event. 

This fundraising gala will feature 11 pairs of the “stars of Acadiana” in a fun-filled evening of dance that will benefit Crowley Christian Care, the Community Outreach Corporation and the Rotary Club of Crowley. 

Friday, May 2, is the dress rehearsal, which will begin at 7 p.m., while Saturday, May 3, is the main event, which will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by the performance at 7 p.m. and live music and dancing from 9 to 11 p.m.

The charity fundraising gala is co-chaired by Emily Stoma and Mary Zaunbrecher. Stoma will also act as the financial chairperson, assisted by Troy Breaux. Brenda Core of Core Dance Center will lead the choreography team, and Mitzi and Clay LeJeune will co-chair the silent auction. 

Dancing with the Stars is proud to announce the next couple and their choreographer selected to participate in this year’s event.

Laurie Suire: A graduate of Notre Dame High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, she is the wife of Jay Suire and the mother of three boys: Grant, Harrison and Reagan. 

She recently accepted the position of interim executive director of One Acadia, a parish-wide business alliance. 

She is a member of the Crowley Town Club and an enthusiastic volunteer for the Krewe of Town Revelers Carnival Ball, having served in the roles of director, costume coordinator and marketing chair. In 2010, Suire was selected as Queen to King Cimmer LV. She is also a member of the Krewe of Victoria, Krewe de les Dames, Crowley Garden Club and Lafayette Parish Bar Auxiliary. She has been active in various community organizations including Main Street and the Acadia Players. 

Her children are fourth generation students of St. Michael School, where she serves as chair of the Parent Club Faith Committee and assists with anything else she can.

As a lifelong resident of Crowley, Laurie is very proud of our culture. She is pleased to be able to contribute to this community effort and really enjoys being part of special projects that further the promotion of Crowley.

Trenton Leonards: Married to Elise Webb Leonards, he is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 

He is an accountant with the firm of Dugas, Soileau and Breaux, LLC. 

Leonards is a 2012 Leadership Excel graduate and an active member of the Crowley Chamber of Commerce. A member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church, he volunteers at the Roberts Cove Germanfest, and he particularly enjoys competing in the Roberts Cove Horseshoe Tournament. 

He and Elise are awaiting the birth of their first baby, due next week.

Ashley Baudoin: Baudoin is a graduate of Lafayette High School and a member of the Broadmoor Elementary School PTO. She has one son, Brayden. 

Baudoin is a top-notch dancer and choreographer who is currently on staff at Core Dance Center and Hebert Dance Center of Opelousas. She has been dancing for 25 years and teaching for the past 10 years. She has trained with legends such as Al Gilbert, Diane Walker and Jeffery Williams, with whom she had an apprenticeship in Las Vegas. 

Baudoin also attended Dance Factory where she was a member of the “Steps” competition team, and later served as a faculty member.

For tickets to this exciting event, call Kim Gattle at 785-0440 or visit the website at www.thegrandoperahouse.org. 

To vote for your favorite couple(s) log on to www.crowleydancestars.com. Voting requires a PayPal account or a credit card and each vote is $1. 

Sponsorships are still available by calling Stoma at 523-6044 or Zaunbrecher at 207-9789.