The 2015 Dancing With the Stars participants: Bottom row, (left to right): WEF Board members: Emily McMullin, Amy Donohue (co-President), Anna Yoo, Lorena Moynihan, Merrill King, & Kelly Marini. Middle row, (l to r): WEF co-president Elaina Griffith; professional dancers Nghi Tran & Alysson Kenis; Stars Sheri Park, Lidia DiIeso, Aine Dirrane, & Jane Corrigan; professional dancers Sonia Sedova and Beth Canuel; and 2015 Dancing with the Stars Winner Kendra Foley. Top row, (l to r): Stars Jay Hughes & John Lawn; professional dancers Chris Uy, Justin Penney, Milan Locic, & Istvan Cserven; Stars Aaron Dushku, Armand Keuchkarian (Fan Favorite), & John Cacace; and professional dancer Harrison Wright.
The Watertown Education Foundation (WEF) raised $20,000 at its second annual, “Dancing with the Stars” event held on Friday, May 1 at the Hellenic Cultural Center.
This year, Kendra Foley, a Hosmer School parent, took home the trophy for her upbeat Bollywood number, performed with her partner, Harrison Wright of Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Boston. They received a perfect score of 30 from the judges. Armand Keuchkarian, Watertown Middle and High School parent was awarded the Fan Favorite trophy, for his performance with Avalon Dance & Fitness’ Beth Canuel.
“More than 400 people attended the event this year; that is almost double the number of last year’s attendees,” said Amy Donohue, WEF co-president. “It was a huge success, we thank everyone for coming out and supporting our event!”
Modeled after the popular television show, the event featured Watertown “stars” partnered with professional dancers from Avalon Dance & Fitness and Fred Astaire, both located in Belmont; Balera School of Ballroom Dance in Newton; and Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Boston.
Exciting and entertaining performances were also given by the eight other Stars: John Cacace, Watertown High School football coach; Jane Corrigan, Watertown resident and Reagle Music Theatre performer; Lidia DiIeso, Cunniff School teacher; Aine Dirrane, IA, Watertown Middle School; Aaron Dushku, Watertown Town Councilor; Jay Hughes, local realtor, WMS & WHS parent; John Lawn, State Representative, Watertown Public Schools parent; and Sheri Park, Lowell School teacher.
In addition to the many sponsors listed in the program, the WEF would like to thank long-time supporters MacDonald Rockwell MacDonald and the Urquhart family. Photos from Dancing with the Stars and more information about the WEF and their upcoming events can be found on the Watertown Education Foundation Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WatertownEd/ or by contacting info@watertowned.org