cover story
Story by Audrey Watkins, Photos By Dero Sanford
Sixteen couples competing in Jonesboro’s first ever “Wanna Dance?” competition will have their moment in the spotlight this month, each hoping that they have just the right moves to garner the majority of votes in the inaugural dance-off.
Organized as a fundraiser for The Woman’s Discovery Center, Executive Director Faye Cox said community response to the event has been positive. “The sponsors have been so generous to provide funding and in-kind services far beyond anything we could have purchased,” Cox said. “And the dancers and instructors … I cannot begin to say enough about their willingness to participate and rearrange their already busy schedules to work in practice sessions and their creative plans to generate votes for their teams, which ultimately benefit The Woman’s Discovery Center.”
With such a diverse group of dancers, Cox said there will be something for everyone. “It truly will be wonderful, affordable family entertainment.”
Instructors have been working with their assigned students for several weeks in preparation for the competition. Those serving as instructors include: Alex Lorenzana, Terry Roach, Mike and Amy Cundall, Winnie Hill, Buddy and Thelma Kisling, Christie McNeil, Anthony Cilli and April Ridenhower.
Occasions recently visited with Cox to learn more about this unique fundraiser, a local version of the popular “Dancing with the Stars” television program, and the non-profit organization that it will benefit, The Woman’s Discovery Center. The kickoff for the competition was Sept. 29 at The Mall at Turtle Creek.
JO: Who will compete in the inaugural “Wanna Dance?” competition and how will the winning couple be selected?
FC: Sixteen couples from a variety of age groups, backgrounds and professions comprise this year’s field of dancers. Individual men and women were invited to participate; their names were literally drawn from a hat to pair the couples. Then, each couple was assigned an instructor. We have an accomplished team of ballroom dance instructors coaching our couples and they are making super progress with their students. Our event will be somewhat different from the television program in that there will be no judges and no elimination. This is all “for fun and funds” and the couples are having a wonderful time.
The first group of dancers will compete Oct. 2 at the Nettleton Performing Arts Center, with the remaining couples competing on Oct. 9 at the Brookland Performing Arts Center.
Votes may be cast by making $1 donations during either of the Dance Nights or at any time in the lobby of the main Heritage Bank 2009 Browns Lane. The Grand Finale will be held at TheMall at Turtle Creek on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. At that time, each of the couples will dance once more. The six couples who have previously received the most votes will participate in a dance-off. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite couple among the finalists. The couple receiving the most votes will be named as the winner and will receive a fantastic prize package.
JO: The Woman’s Discovery Center is a relatively new non-profit organization created in 2006. What inspired you to make this dream become a reality?
FC: Although the dream may have begun with me, it is about all women in our community and beyond. Each of us wants to have made a difference, a contribution – to have brought meaning to our own lives and the lives of others. Life experiences shape us and sharing those experiences with others is a gift.
Author Dawna Markova, who has become a friend and mentor, first wrote a poem and later a book titled “I Will Not Die an Unlived Life” in which she talks about risking one’s significance. That discussion continues to have a profound effect upon me personally. I guess you could say that taking steps to establish The Woman’s Discovery Center was risking my significance, but I am simply a conduit.
The incredible group of talented women from diverse backgrounds in our community who agreed to become founding members of our Board of Directors has been the key to its success. The gifts of these extraordinary women complement one another so well that each contributes according to her area of expertise. That is what we’d like tosee from each woman in our community as she participates in activities and programming. As our community diversifies, we are intentional in reaching out to all women.
Our mission statement governs everything we do: “The Woman’s Discovery Center provides support and resources for women of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds through educational, cultural and social opportunities, leadership development, and community service.”
JO: “Wanna Dance?” is the center’s biggest fundraiser to date. How will proceeds from this event benefit women in the community?
FC: The Woman’s Discovery Center has operated on a shoestring budget during the past year and in borrowed space. Architect Jeff Steiling has designed an amazing physical space for our facility at 1413A Marketplace Drive. The space will have a coffeehouse atmosphere and can be configured for a variety of functions. Contractors and suppliers throughout our community have generously donated their time, materials and expertise for the renovation of this space to be completed later this fall.
We have developed a budget with a full range of programs and services. The “Wanna Dance?” event will help us fund our budget and open the center ready to implement our plans. Major projects in the near future include establishing a Professional Women’s Clothes Closet (at a location yet to be determined) for women who are re-entering the work force and have limited financial resources, and establishing a scholarship to ASU.
JO: What are some of the ways you believe The Woman’s Discovery Center will be able to make a difference in the lives of women?
FC: The woman who finds herself in a constant struggle to carve out a small amount of personal time for herself on a calendar that is packed with work, family, church, and civic obligations desperately needs a place to find a “time out.” I describe the battle to find balance in our lives as peeling away the layers until what remains are our core values. However, it’s a never-ending process because the layers build back up nearly as fast as you peel them off. Age and station in life don’t have anything to do with this struggle – the teenager, the university student, the stay-at-home mom, the woman with a job, the retired woman – all search for balance.
Every woman in our community will have a place at The Woman’s Discovery Center where she can come to find and share herunique gifts with other women and girls to enrich both her own life and the lives of others. Women from varied backgrounds can find common ground to broaden their individual perspectives, then reach out to others to truly make a difference.
2007 dancers
dance night one
•Lauren Payne, KAIT8, & Carl Wise, Nettleton Public Schools
•Amanda Drennon, Foundation of the Arts, & Ty Damron, Jonesboro Fire Department
•Brittney Ragsdale, Sugg Homes, & Dr. Joseph Kueter, Medical Plaza Urology Associates
•Carrie Aquino, Sheffield’s Restaurant, & Jim Frigo, TripleFM Radio Group
•Taylor Watts, Eden Medical Spa, &
Dr. Bryan Copeland, Thad Brown and Bryan Copeland Dental Practice;
•Dana Hoggard, Jonesboro Occasions, & Shane Fox, The Winning Edge
•Pam Haun, Barrett & Deacon Law Firm, & Ricky Greer, Jonesboro Public Schools.
dance night two
•Emma Agnew, Beacons & Bridges, & Mayor Doug Formon
•Mandy Northcutt, Curves for Women, & Toby Bridges, Delta Consolidated
•Libby Nix, ASU College of Nursing & Health Professions, & Joseph Bittengle, Landers Brothers Honda
•Susan Gray, Jonesboro Police Department, & Scott Davis, NEA Clinic Administration
•Sheila Nusom, Frito Lay, & Brad Cullum, NEA Medsource
•Angie Fetters, Valley View Public Schools, & Dr. Al Romero, ASU Department of Biology
•Cari White, Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, & Erick Woodruff, Jonesboro Public Works Department
•Jacinda Prince, Westside Public Schools, & Joey Perry, Joey Perry Martial Arts
•Cindy Primm, The Jonesboro Sun, & Scotty Hickson, Razorback Concrete.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Tickets to each Dance Night are $5 and will be available at the door or in advance by calling 219-2488. The Grand Finale will be held at Center Court at The Mall at Turtle Creek on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. There is no admission charge for the finale. To view photos of the participating dancers, visit the center’s Web site at www.thewomansdiscoverycenter.org.)