Meet Alicia Heitz!

Get ready to cheer on Alicia Heitz as she takes the stage with her dance partner, Byron Gentry, in this year's Dancing Like the Stars! Alicia, a Health & Safety Specialist at Urschel Laboratories, is trading safety gear for dancing shoes to support the Duneland Family YMCA and give back to the community she loves.

When Alicia isn't at work, she's all about making memories with family and friends. Whether she's exploring a museum, hiking outdoors, practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, gardening, or bird watching, she's always up for an adventure. She and Byron also share a wonderfully busy blended family with eight kids, plus Loki the bearded dragon and Lola the black cat keeping things interesting at home!

Alicia says she's most excited to be part of something bigger than herself while using this creative opportunity to make a difference. And here's a fun fact: she's a Level 6 Google Local Guide and is just one step away from unlocking Level 7 perks. So if you're looking for the best local spots, she's your person!

Be sure to cheer on Alicia as she dances her heart out for the Y! VOTE FOR ALICIA!

Meet Jeny!

Jeny Burkhart of Ogden Dunes is the founder of The Waxi Taxi and someone who truly believes in giving back to her community. She and her husband, Aaron, have been married for nearly 28 years and have three children together. This year, she'll be taking the stage with her son, Will, as part of her ensemble. Their home is always full of life with two dogs, two cats, a couple of tortoises, and a bearded dragon.

When she's not running her business, you'll likely find Jeny volunteering with community, nature, or theatre organizations. In fact, she spent 12 years directing and producing children's musicals with casts of up to 100 young performers. While she's usually most comfortable behind the scenes, she decided it was time to take her own advice and step into the spotlight. She's excited to dance in support of an organization that means so much to the Duneland community.

Jeny is passionate about using her talents to help others and believes everyone has gifts they can share to make their community stronger. She is especially grateful for the support the Duneland community has shown her small business over the years and is thrilled to give back in this unique way.

Fun fact: Jeny and her family have hosted more than 35 exchange students from around the world, and she also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do... although she jokes she might need to start back at white belt!

VOTE FOR JENY!

Meet Julianne & Tom Schager!

After 31 years of marriage, Julianne and Tom Schager are proving it's never too late to learn a few new dance moves! Porter residents and adventure lovers, this dynamic duo is taking the Dancing Like the Stars stage to support the Duneland Family YMCA and the community they've quickly come to love.

Julianne serves as the YMCA's Director of Healthy Living, where she's seen firsthand the incredible impact the Y has on people of all ages. From helping families stay active to creating opportunities for kids, seniors, and individuals of all abilities, she loves being part of an organization that truly changes lives every day. When she was asked to be this year's YMCA dancer, saying yes was easy. The only catch? Her husband, Tom, had to join her! After a little convincing, he agreed, and now they're both excited to relive the fun of learning choreography together for the first time since their wedding dance 32 years ago.

When they're not at work, you'll likely find the Schagers hiking through state and national parks, listening to live music, or hosting family game nights whenever their four grown children are home. Their favorite local adventure is Trail 9 at Indiana Dunes State Park.

One fun fact? The Schagers are dedicated road trippers who have driven to an impressive 72% of the United States with their children, creating memories one mile at a time.

VOTE FOR JULIANNE AND TOM!

Meet Jim & Lindsay!

Jim and Lindsay Trout are ready to bring plenty of laughs, personality, and heart to this year's Dancing Like the Stars! Jim, Vice President of Trout Glass & Mirror, and Lindsay, a first grade teacher at Liberty Elementary, have been married for nearly 15 years and call Chesterton home with their two children, Luke and Leah, and their lovable one eyed yellow lab, Cliff, who somehow packs endless energy into his 117 pound frame.

While Lindsay is no stranger to the Dancing Like the Stars stage, Jim is stepping well outside his comfort zone for his debut. Still, he's willing to do just about anything to support the Duneland Family YMCA. Together, they're looking forward to sharing a few laughs, showing off their personalities, and celebrating with family and friends on one unforgettable night.

When they're not working or cheering on their kids, the Trout family loves traveling together, especially to Disney. In fact, they've visited the Most Magical Place on Earth about 13 times in the past four years. Ironically, Lindsay didn't take her very first Disney trip until she was 40 years old! On the rare occasion Jim finds some free time, you'll likely find him fishing, enjoying a cold drink, or both at the same time. Just don't be surprised if he has a story about one of the more than dozen times he's needed stitches.

Giving back to the YMCA is deeply personal for both of them. As the immediate past Board President, Jim has helped guide the YMCA's growth for years and is excited to see the lasting impact of the Duneland Healthy Living Campus on local families. As an elementary school teacher, Lindsay sees firsthand how important the YMCA's programs are for children throughout the Duneland community and is proud to support a mission that helps every child have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Be sure to cheer on Team Jim & Lindsay and VOTE NOW!

Meet Izzy!

Izzy is the Marketing Manager at Trinity Displays, a proud Chesterton resident, and this year she's taking the Dancing Like the Stars stage with her favorite dance partner, her daughter, Zoe.

For Izzy, the YMCA has been part of her story for as long as she can remember. Growing up, she spent countless hours at the Y while her mom taught aerobics, creating memories through swim lessons, sports, and summer camp. Today, that same experience has come full circle as Zoe has enjoyed preschool at the Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning, Y Care, swim lessons, youth sports, and summer camp.

When she's not working, you'll find Izzy enjoying yoga, hiking the Indiana Dunes, crafting, beach days, or tossing horseshoes with her Team Trinity teammates during the summer.

Dancing with Zoe has been the highlight of this experience, giving them the chance to learn something new, laugh together, and support a place that has meant so much to their family. In fact, the song they'll be performing was introduced to Zoe by one of her Y Care teachers, and she's been obsessed with it ever since, making this dance even more special. Izzy believes every child deserves the opportunity to experience the friendships, confidence, and joy the YMCA provides, and she's proud to help make that possible for others.

Be sure to cheer on Team Izzy & Zoe and VOTE NOW!!