Latest 'Dancing With the Stars' couple, choreographer pairing announced

Through the collaboration of the Crowley Christian Care Center, the Community Outreach Corporation and the Rotary Club of Crowley, another presentation of “Dancing With the Stars in a Caring Way” is being planned. 

The Grand Opera House of the South will be the scene of a spectacular weekend of entertainment Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3. The Friday night performance will begin at 7 p.m., while Saturday’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by the performance at 7 p.m.  and live music from 9–11 p.m., during which the winners will be announced. 

This combined effort will not only be entertaining, but will also benefit the needy of the community. Emily Stoma and Mary Zaunbrecher are the co-chairs of this worthwhile event again this year and Clay and Mitzi LeJeune are serving as chairpersons of the silent auction. 

The dance performance will feature eleven couples, the “Stars of Acadiana.” Prominent members of the community have been chosen to dance for a worthy cause, raising money while learning a few new dance steps at the same time. Each week another couple will be introduced to the public.

This week, “Dancing with the Stars” is proud to announce the next couple and their choreographer selected to participate in this year’s gala. 

April Mixon: Married to Jim and the mother of two boys, Tripp and Matthew, she is a pre-kindergarten teacher at Central Rayne Kindergarten. She was named Acadia Parish Teacher of the Year in 2001 and considers her work more than just a job; for her, it’s a passion as she works to ensure success for all her students. 

Mixon graduated from Jena High School, then received her Bachelor of Science in early childhood education at Northwestern State University and her master’s degree in administration and supervision from McNeese State University. 

Mixon is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where she serves on the Vestry and as a reader. She is also a member of Solitic Club and president of Child Activity Club. She has coached the Notre Dame High School dance team and cheerleaders and also enjoys cheering for her boys during football and baseball season. 

Henry J. Helo III: Helo and his wife, Summer, have two daughters, Amelia Kate and Isla Grace. He is employed by Carmichael’s Cashway Pharmacy where he acts as the general manager. 

After graduation from Notre Dame High School, he received a business degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a master’s of business administration degree from Capella University. 

He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and volunteers as a mentor for the Louisiana Youth Challenge Program. A member of Rotary for 10 years, he is a Paul Harris Fellow and he currently serves on the board of the Crowley Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, Helo ran the Marine Corps Marathon and also the Galveston Half Iron Man, where he ranked in the top 25 percent of the nation. His athleticism and endurance will serve him well as he prepares for this dance competition. 

Brenda Core: Core is a returning choreographer and the choreography chairperson for season two of “Dancing With the Stars in a Caring Way.” 

She is a graduate of LSU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance. Core is the owner/artistic director of Core Dance Center of Crowley. 

She has performed with the LSU Dance Theater and Ballet Ensemble, Moving South Dance Company and the USL Repertory Dance Concert. Core served as director of the children’s ensemble for the Moscow Ballet performance of the Nutcracker. She has also worked as choreographer for numerous theatrical productions, including the Acadia Players productions of “Godspell” and “Cinderella,” Notre Dame High School’s production of “Annie,” and Buren Martin’s Southeastern Theatrical Company musicals. 

Core was recognized as the Outstanding Citizen in her vocation and was a recipient of the Crowley Rotary Club’s Vocational Service Award. She is a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and volunteers annually for the St. Michael Elementary School Faith Rally. 

The success of this worthwhile event is dependent on sponsorships, votes for your favorite couple(s), ticket sales and ads. Advertisements for the full color program are on sale now. 

If you would like to purchase a personal ad for a particular couple or a business ad, please contact Pat Miers (patmiers@gmail.com) at 581-6452. Various sizes are available and priced as follows: business card-sized ads are $50, quarter-page ads are $100, half-page ads are $200, and full page ads are $450. 

Voting is currently underway at www.crowleydancestars.com. Each vote costs $1 and you may vote as many times and for as many couples as you like. 

Tickets may be purchased by contacting Kim Gattle at 785-0440 or by visiting the website at www.thegrandoperahouse.org. Tickets for the Friday night dress rehearsal performance are $50 and Saturday night’s tickets are $100. 

For more information or to inquire about sponsorships, please contact Stoma at 523-6044 or Zaunbrecher at 207-9789.