Dancing with the Cancer Kickin’ Hawkettes in its third year supporting cancer research
By Correne Martin
The third annual Dancing with the Cancer Kickin’ Hawkettes—a Great River Relay For Life fundraiser—will be held Wednesday, April 26, at the Dousman House in Prairie du Chien. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served at 5:30 and the dancing will begin at 6:30.
This year’s lineup includes community members Josh Smelzer, Jason Thiry, Pete Pazour, Josh Gerrity, Mike Moret, Dr. Matt Olson, Gary Wynos, Dr. John Kurt and Joe Morovits. These gentlemen will be paired with the following Prairie du Chien High School dance team members, respectively: Kina Myers, Katie Licht, Caitlin Nolan, Archi Patel, Lauren Kennedy, Morgan Kiesau, Paige Severson, Kara Katzung and Katie Zahara.
Tickets should be purchased in advance, as they tend to sell fast, at www.main.acsevents.org/pdchawkettes or by calling Mary Ann Heiz at 326-6015 or visiting A Cut Above downtown. In fact, according to Heisz, “about half the tickets are gone already.”
Again, there will be two winning categories the evening of the dancing. They are best dancing team, or the Judges’ Choice, and best fundraising team, the People’s Choice. Judges will be Lynn Rider, Cindy Hertrampf, Ken Stoeffler and Dr. Michael Rogge, last year’s “People’s Choice.” For the People’s Choice honor, one vote can be cast per dollar donated.
Fans of the local celebrities and their dancing partners are encouraged to make donations for their favorites by contacting Heisz as well.
“They’re all winners in my eyes because these guys have never danced before,” Heisz noted, “and they really work hard on their routines for a good cause. It’s all in good fun.”
The Hawkettes have chosen the music and dance style based on their partners’ personality and skills. Each duo also envisions and creates their own coordinating outfits to add to their dancing flair.
A fun time is expected for all ages, as has been the tradition. All proceeds will benefit the Great River Relay For Life, which will happen Friday, May 19, at Hoffman Hall. Ultimately, the relay supports the American Cancer Society and research for a cure to cancer.
This year, the relay location has changed (from the high school to Hoffman Hall) and the day of the week has too.
“We’re tyring something different. It’s a five-hour thing on a Friday night. We appreciate anything the community can do,” Heisz said. “Any organization, family, school, team, group of friends, neighbors or coffee clatch—we want them to come join us. If you’re all by yourself and want to come and walk, bring a few bucks and spend it on the silent auction. If they can raise $20, it’s money we didn’t have before to support the survivors and the American Cancer Society.”
A silent auction, kids games and music will round out the relay.
