Dancing for Our Stars 3 delivered an unforgettable evening

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor joyfully announces the triumphant return of “Dancing for Our Stars 3,” an evening that left a lasting impression with its blend of dance, entertainment, and philanthropy.

Held at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Event Center on March 23, 2024, located at 15406
N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa, Arizona, the event commenced with a Red-Carpet Reception at 5:30 p.m., featuring delectable hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by a lavish 3-course dinner. The main event kicked off at 7 p.m. with captivating performances, concluding with an exclusive VIP after-party for VIP ticket holders and cast members.

“Dancing for Our Stars” brought together a vibrant mix of local celebrities, professional
dancers, and community members, all united in their support for the Boys & Girls Clubs
of the Sun Corridor’s crucial programs and initiatives. The event successfully raised $198,000 a testament to the generosity and commitment of attendees and sponsors.

This year’s lineup featured 10 dynamic dance teams, each comprising a Celebrity Dancer
paired with a Professional Dancer. The evening’s participants included:

• Celebrity Dancer Kelly Anderson, Executive Director of the Maricopa Chamber of
Commerce, partnered with Professional Dancer Mindy Melillo

• Celebrity Dancer Zoe Cooper, Advertising Manager at Kramer Media, partnered
with Professional Dancer Myka Borunda

• Celebrity Dancer Mike Cruz, Manager of Public Policy for Lucid Motors, partnered
with Professional Dancer Krisenna Hancock

• Celebrity Dancer Jennifer Kortsen, Public Relations Officer for Casa Grande Union
High School District, partnered with Professional Dancer Daniel Kent

• Celebrity Dancer Representative Teresa Martinez, Arizona State Representative,
partnered with Professional Dancer Candralina Sanchez

• Celebrity Dancer Chairman Robert Miguel, Ak-Chin Indian Community Chairman,
partnered with Professional Dancer Alyssa Mangum

• Celebrity Dancer Gayle Randolph, Branch Manager and HUD Certified Housing
Counselor for NID Housing Counseling Agency, partnered with Professional
Dancer Kelly Cunningham-Shank

• Celebrity Dancer Chase Salcido, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking in the
Agribusiness, Food & Hospitality division, partnered with Professional Dancer
Danielle Porter

• Celebrity Dancer Representative Keith Seaman, Arizona State Representative,
partnered with Professional Dancer Marsha Hindman

• Celebrity Dancer Tony Smith, President of Pinal Partnership, partnered with
Professional Dancer Sara Brock

The evening culminated in the announcement of award winners, recognizing
outstanding performances and contributions to the event:

• People’s Choice: Zoe Cooper and Myka Borunda

• Top Friend-raiser (the coveted Mirror Ball Award): Mike Cruz and Krisenna Hancock

• Judge’s Choice Award: Kelly Anderson and Mindy Melillo

• Showstopper Award: Jennifer Kortsen and Daniel Kent

“We were thrilled to bring back ‘Dancing for Our Stars’ for its third edition,” expressed
Matthew Lemberg, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor. “This
event not only produced an evening of entertainment and friendly competition but also
played a crucial role in furthering our mission to inspire and enable all young people to
realize their full potential as productive and caring citizens.”

The event was made possible by the generous support of our Presenting Sponsors:

Abbott, APS, Cactus Mine, Ellison-Mills Construction, First Interstate Bank, Jerry Seiner- Casa Grande, Lucid Motors Co., and SRP. Their dedication to empowering the youth of
Pinal County is invaluable.

Addie Young, Board Member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor, served as this
year’s Dancing for Our Stars Event Chair, while Skyla Teel returned as the event emcee.

The distinguished panel of judges included Dr. Tracey Lopeman, Superintendent of
Maricopa Unified School District; Dr. Jeff Mitchell, a local dentist and coach; and Ray
Nieves, owner of 911 Air Repair in Maricopa Carrie Vargas, Performance Director and founder of the Maricopa Community Theatre, ensured the evening ran smoothly, alongside our partner studios—The Studio in Casa Grande, Alyssa’s Little Dancers in Maricopa, and The Dance Spot in San Tan Valley—who provided invaluable support.

The event presented electrifying dance performances and opportunities for attendees to
mingle with local celebrities and community leaders. Guests also showed their support by
voting for their favorite dancers, with proceeds directly benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs
of the Sun Corridor. It was a wonderful night where our entire community came together
for a night of celebration, dance, generosity, and making a difference in the lives of young
people. Whether attending as a guest, sponsor, or volunteer, everyone had a role to play
in creating a brighter future for our youth.

“It’s incredible to see the leaders of our community come together, entertain, and really
put themselves out there all for an amazing cause. The audience was invested and loved
every minute of it. Thank you to all who performed and donated, you have truly made an
impact on the youth in this community.” – Addie Young, Board Member and Chair for
Dancing for Our Stars.

Mark your calendar as next year’s event will take place in March 2025.
For more information about past events or to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun
Corridor, please visit www.bgcsuncorridor.org or contact the Director of Development,
Jarrett Croft.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor
Since 1998, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor has provided a safe place for kids
and teens to learn and grow. Our Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship,
and high-impact youth development programs daily during critical non-school hours. Boys
& Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and citizenship,
and healthy lifestyles. We provide critical services in Pinal County and have eight clubs
(1) Arizona City, (5) Casa Grande and (2) Maricopa. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun
Corridor has an open-door policy and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Jarrett Croft, Director of Development
Email: [email protected]
Phone (520)876-KIDS (5437)

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