Ten competitors hit the dance floor at the Hellenic Cultural Center Friday night, but only one could take home the 2019 Dancing with the Watertown Stars trophy.
The amateur dancers came from a variety of places, whether born and bred town residents, working for a business or department in Watertown, or being a Watertown elected official. Each teamed up with one of the three professional dancers to put together his or her routine.
The couples performed before a packed crowd at the Hellenic Center.
The money raised from tickets, raffle tickets, votes for the fan favorite went to the Rotary Club of Watertown. The funds will support local projects, go to college scholarships and more.
The competitors worked with three professional dancers from Ballroom in Boston: Lilia Weisfeldt (owner and Rotary member), Matt Davis and Bradley Mather.
The 2019 dancers were:
- Real estate agent and former WHS baseball coach Ari Koufos with Lilia, dancing the Hustle
- Watertown firefighter/paramedic Mary Piotrowski and Bradley dancing the Cha Cha
- Watertown Middle School teacher Kellie Spillane and Matt dancing the Swing
- Watertown firefighter Andrew Vega and Lilia dancing the Samba
- Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s Rhode Moise and Bradley dancing Hip Hop
- Watertown Town Councilor Lisa Feltner and Bradley dancing the Lindy Hop
- Watertown Savings Bank Vice President Bill Burgess and Lilia dancing the Cha Cha
- From the Watertown High School Athletics Department, Jae Smith and Bradley dancing the Hustle
- Watertown High School teacher Chad Foster and Lilia dancing the Cha Cha, and
- Watertown Police officer Kerilyn Amedio and Bradley dancing the Samba
Each routine wowed the judges — John Airasian, Nicole Kuechkarian, Lynda Messina and Tony Physic — who had to take several minutes to discuss their final decision.
And, the winner was …
Kelly Spillane!
She put together her performance with Davis during 10 lessons leading up to Dancing with the Watertown Stars.
The day of the performance, during rehearsals, Spillane said she had messed up some moves, so she was nervous. However, when she took the dance floor she saw some former students, and parents of students, which put her at ease.
“I really worried I was going to blow a big move, but it’s the crowd that gets you excited,” Spillane said.
She had some tough competitors, including fellow Watertown educators.
“Chad was amazing, Jae was amazing, and of course all the other stars,” Spillane said. “A lot of people were really rooting for the teachers, and it’s Teacher Appreciation Week, so it’s a good way to end it.”
The audience had its say, too, and the fan favorite was Kerilyn Amedio.
See more photos from the 2019 Dancing with the Watertown Stars in the gallery below:
The Stars do a group routine at the beginning of Dancing with the Watertown Stars 
Andrew Vega spins Lilia Weisfeldt during the 2019 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
Bradley Mather catches Rhode Moise during their dance routine 
Mary Piotrowski and Bradley Mather hit the floor at the Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
Lisa Feltner and Bradley Mather strut their stuff during their dance. 
Rotary Club member Maria Popodouplos received flowers from fellow Rotarian Paul Derboghosian for taking the lead in organizing the 2019 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
Kerilyn Amedio and Bradley Mather tear up the dance floor during the Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
Jae Smith and Bradley Mather perform during the 2019 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
Chad Foster and Lilia Weisfeldt get down during the Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
Some of the many fans cheering on the stars at the 2019 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
Matt Davis and Kellie Spillane show their enthusiasm during their number at Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
Lilia Weisfeldt and Bill Burgess who off their in steps during the Dancing with the Watertown Stars 
Ari Koufos and Lilia Weisfeldt kicked off the performances at Dancing with the Watertown Stars. 
The stars pose after their group routine at the 2019 Dancing with the Watertown Stars 
Kellie Spillane waves to her fans after winning the 2019 Dancing with the Watertown Stars.