The Boulware Mission’s largest fundraiser Dancing With Our Stars Owensboro Style is coming back on Aug. 7 at the Owensboro Convention Center. The event puts local celebrities and their dancing partners in the spotlight.
Donations from the event, which is presented by Old National Bank, support Boulware’s mission of helping “displaced individuals become self-sufficient through treatment, education and services” as well as covering the necessary operating expenses that keep the center in operation.
Interim Executive Director Rhonda Davis said that everything this year is bigger and better, including opening the space into two rooms for more attendees and constructing a stage for dancers so that everyone can see.
“We are excited this event is back in the ballroom and not virtual,” she said.
This year there are six couples competing for the title of mirror-ball champions, and several couples have already been holding fundraisers to go toward their total amount. Known as “People’s Choice,” the donations count 50% toward the couple’s overall score, which is combined with the judges’ points.
“The competition between dancers — the ones who really want to win — will help the bottom line,” Davis said. “The money coming in now is really encouraging — especially after the last year. Seeing the community behind us and supporting us … this fundraising needs to be big and the fact that the dancers want to do it for us is amazing. It is a competition and some are in it to win it and the bragging rights, but really they are just helping.”
Because of COVID-19 and the dancers’ comfort levels, Davis said that this year they allowed everyone to choose their partners — resulting in one married couple joining the competition. Davis hopes that more couples will participate in the future.
Meet the teams
- Brandon Gentry is partnered with Josilyn Swails. Both work at Old National Bank. Gentry has more than 17 years in the banking industry and is involved with several local nonprofits. He grew up in Owensboro and attended Owensboro Catholic and Western Kentucky University. Swails participated in Dancing With Our Stars in 2019 with partner Casey Taylor.
- Taunya Iverson and Buster Ashley are being coached by Baylee Long, an instructor who helped the 2019 winners. Iverson is the general manager for Cromwell Media-Owensboro. She serves on a local nonprofit board and is involved with Impact 100. Ashley graduated from Owensboro High School in 2000 and attended Western Kentucky University on a full athletic scholarship. He taught in the Owensboro and Daviess County school districts before beginning a new career at Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline.
- Brandy Mathew and Joey Barr are being helped by Barr’s fiancee Michele Cecil. Barr is a member of the Owensboro Dance Club, and he and his partner won the inaugural Dancing With Our Stars event. He has participated in five Dancing With Our Stars. Mathew is director of operations for Advanced Cardiology of Owensboro and Utopia Wellness and MediSpa.
- Cathy Pickrell and Phillip Page will be following Page’s choreography. Page competed on the collegiate level through the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association. He is a Purple Heart recipient and is currently a Daviess County assistant attorney while also operating a family law practice with his wife. Pickrell was on her high school dance team and is a certified Zumba instructor. She is a Student Assistance Coordinator at Owensboro High School.
- Stephanie Rhinerson is partnered with Kevin Kabalen. Rhinerson works at Independence Bank and enjoys karaoke and serving on a local nonprofit board. Kabalen is retired from 19 years in law enforcement and currently serves as head of security for Independence Bank of Kentucky.
- Ryan and Chivonne Rutman are married and are associated with ReMax Professional Realty Group. They have been in the real estate industry for 13 years and they are the first married couple to compete in the event.
Davis said this is the first year that former Executive Director Leigha Taylor will not be at the helm of the event.
“This was her baby,” she said. “She came up with it and grew it into what it is today. Now we are just trying to honor what she’s done. I’m running it, and that’s big shoes to fill.”
People’s Choice voting is available until Aug. 6 and many events are being held to help contestants secure donations that go toward their overall score.
Doors open for the event at 5 p.m. and a seated meal will be served at 6 p.m. The dance portion of the event will begin after dinner and semi-formal attire is requested for attendees. Ticket information is available here.
