Relay supporters kickin’ cancer, one dance at a time
The third annual Dancing With the Cancer Kickin’ Hawkettes broke a fundraising record by collecting over $14,800 toward the Great River Relay For Life. This year’s male dancers included (back row, from left) Jason Licht, Matt Olson, Gary Wynos, John Kurt, Josh Smelzer, Pete Pazour, Mike Moret, Josh Gerrity and Joe Morovits. Their Prairie du Chien Hawkettes partners (seated in front of them) are Katie Licht, Morgan Kiesau, Paige Severson, Kara Katzung, Kina Myers, Caitlin Nolan, Lauren Kennedy, Archi Patel and Katie Zahara. (Photo by Shelly Rider)
By Correne Martin
Dancing with the Cancer Kickin’ Hawkettes has been an enthusiastic fundraising addition these past few years for the predominant Great River Relay For Life in Prairie du Chien. In its third year, the high school Hawkettes dance squad members were paired up with local gentlemen to demonstrate their dance moves in the name of cancer awareness and research, April 19, at the Dousman House. This year, over $14,800 was raised. For each dollar given, a vote was cast for a dancing duo. In addition, money was raised through dinner tickets and other generous donations.
Of the nine couples who competed, there were two sets of winners on the night. The People’s Choice trophies were awarded to Pete Pazour and Caitlin Nolan. The judges—Ken Stoeffler, Cindy Hertrampf, Lynn Rider and 2016 winner Michael Rogge—chose Josh Smelzer and Kina Myers as the Judges’ Choice standouts.
“We are so grateful for every person who was there. Everybody had a good time and everyone who performed did an unbelievable job,” said Mary Ann Heisz, event co-coordinator. “Four of those guys had never danced before but they did flips, they hung in there with the choreography and they enjoyed performing the songs for the crowd. Every time this event takes place, it gets better. And, to hear some of the guys tell stories about why they were dancing and how much it meant to them to do this, it was just amazing.”
In addition to the dancing, there was a grand dinner, catered by The Barn, and numerous community members donated desserts. Flowers were provided by the Blooming Basket (at Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly). Plus, Howe Printing printed the tickets and the Prairie du Chien Class of 1986 and A Cut Above donated money toward organizing the night.
The Great River Relay For Life will be Friday, May 19, this year, at Hoffman Hall (note the day and location changes). Teams are asked to arrive at 5 p.m. The survivor reception and the basket raffle will also begin at 5 p.m. The opening ceremony will start at 6 p.m., followed by survivor and caregiver laps and then commencement of a dessert auction. Music, games and activities will be from 7 to 9 p.m. The luminaria ceremony will light up the facility at 9:30 p.m. and the Spirit of Hope Closing Ceremony will be at 10:15 p.m.
“We have so many battling cancer and survivors of cancer in our community alone, and so many young men and women who are going through treatments,” Heisz noted. “Every little bit we can do here will help to find a cure—or at least a treatment to make this awful disease more tolerable.
Luminaries are currently on sale for the Relay For Life and can be sponsored in honor or memory of anyone touched by cancer. They may be purchased at A Cut Above, Peoples State Bank and through Mary Ann Heisz at 326-6015.
DVDs of the Dancing with the Cancer Kickin’ Hawkettes event are available for purchase by contacting Shelly Rider at (608) 412-0829 or pdcrelay@gmail.com.
