On Thursday night, eight Naperville notables put on their dancing shoes and stage attire for the 15th annual Dancing with the Celebrities, hosted by the Career & Networking Center
The nonprofit hosts the event each year to entertain the crowd and raise money for its mission of helping job seekers find employment. This year’s event took place at the Matrix Club.
“We are super excited to continue to give back and provide job support for folks in our community that are in job search,” said Kim White, Executive Director of the Career & Networking Center.
Locals participating in this year’s Dancing with the Celebrities
Each Naperville-area celebrity partnered with a local pro dancer to create unique performances featuring music ranging from hip-hop to country, and themes from traditional to circus.
This year’s competitors were:
- Heather Queen – Board President, Young Naperville Singers
- Norbert Czerski – NP Dance Studio
- Nathan Lara – Director of Senior Solutions, Independence Village of Naperville
- Ruth-Ann McEachnie – Arthur Murray Dance Studio
- Carrie Provenzale – CEO, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
- Jake Wilson – I Just Wanna Dance
- Adam Ratner – co-founder/co-owner, Grow Wellness Group
- Diamond Winter – Arthur Murray Dance Studio
- Ross Berkley – president, Naperville Unit Education Association
- Zorana Botha – I Just Wanna Dance
- Kristen Fredrick – fashion show producer, KF Productions
- James Dutton – Arthur Murray Dance Studio
- Chris Grano – realtor, Keller Williams Infinity
- Katie Elliot – I Just Wanna Dance
- Carolina Zavala – Business Development Manager, Jaime Zavala – Country Financial
- Rees McCloskey – Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Who danced away with the Judges’ and Audience Choice Awards?
Taking home the Judges’ Choice Award in her western boots was Heather Queen, Board President of the Young Naperville Singers. Queen and her teammate Norbert Czerski won the judges over with their country-style performance.
The Audience Choice Award went to the co-founder of Grow Wellness Group, Adam Ratner, and his partner, Diamond Winter. Their performance began with a slower musical start before picking up the pace with electronic dance music.
Though two teams earned the top prizes, none danced away empty-handed. Each team received a small disco ball trophy for categories including most artistic, most spirited, and most stylish.
“We have so many amazing people from our community who do a lot of give back. We have folks from the nonprofit community, folks from the for-profit community, individuals who really, truly at the heart of what they do, they help individuals in our community,” said White.
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