Overall winners Trace Hansen and Karri Morgan, (center) hold their winning trophies while pictured with Rebecca Bazzoni (left) who is the executive Director of Joe’s Kids. At right is Victoria Peloza, the team’s choreographer. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.
By Dan Spalding News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Trace Hansen and Karri Morgan, representing the non-profit, Joe’s KidS, won Saturday’s raucous return of Dancing With the Stars for Charity Saturday night at the Performing Arts Center in Warsaw.
The event, which had been on hiatus for a five year period, including the pandemic, attracted nearly 900 people cheering on nine teams who were choreographed by Warsaw Community High School students.
Hansen and Morgan dazzled the crowd with two dance sets including one that included an opening with Hansen on roller skates and a high energy routine featuring the sounds of Vanilla Ice’s iconic “Ice, Ice Baby.”
The winning team was presented with the coveted Mirror Ball trophy and sophomore choreographer Victoria Peloza, stood alongside them in the momentary spotlight moments after the winners were announced.
Other top teams were Paul Zakaria and Suzanne Stokes (representing Kosciusko Community Trap Neuter Return) and Randy Polston and Lakesha Green (representing Combined Community Services).
The show was organized by Kensington Digital Media with the help of top sponsors, Glam Boutique and Eastlake Skate Center.
Choreographer Victoria Peloza runs on stage to greet dancers Trace Hansen and Karri Morgan after their second performance Saturday night that led to their championship.
Trace Hansen and Karri Morgan perform a flip during their their second dance.
Overall winners Trace Hansen and Karri Morgan, representing Joe’s Kids, perform their first dance.
Travis McConnell and Sea Grandon, representing Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, perform their second dance of the night.
Shawn Brown and Kayla May, representing Magical Meadows, were fan favorites.
Paul Zakaria and Suzanne Stokes perform during the competion. They were representing Kosciusko Community Trap Neuter Return.
Chris Cage and Megan Dinse strike a pose during their first dance. They were representing the American Foundtion for Suicide Prevention.
Lakesha Green and Randy Polston were fan favorites Saturday night. They represented Combined Community Services.
Laura Seney and Tommy Meier, representing Kate’s Kart, used exploding confetti (above) and some acrobatics (below).
Lakesha Green offers a few thoughts with Randy Polston as Emcee Kris Lake enjoys the moment.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and Emily Gough, representing CASA of Kosciusko County, talk about their routine with Emcee Kris Lake.
Chris Place (center) gestures while standing with his partner, Angela Dieleman on stage. They were representing Cardinal Services.
Emcee Kris Lake introduces the competitors at the start of the show.
The fundraiser attracted a nearly sold out show at the Performing Arts Center Saturday night.
Fans of Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith, brought signs to the event.
Karri Morgan talks with fans afterward.
Sea Grandon and Travis McConnell perform one of their two dances.
Entertainment was also provided by Warsaw Community High School Select Ensemble,
Entertainment was also provided by Warsaw Community High School Select Ensemble.
The show concluded with a performance by the Lee Anne Stewart Dance School.
