Dancing Stars of Wayne County

Click here to see a tally of the Votes by Team!

It's not too late to sign up a team in this year's Virtual Dancing Stars fundraiser!

While voting begins Monday, November 2nd, we are still accepting teams.  It's easy...just complete the registration form on the link below and return it to the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

Once we receive your video we will create your page and email you the link to the website, as well as an example email you can use to get votes!  Share your link on your social media, drum it up with your co-workers, families and friends that will support your incredible efforts and will allow the Wayne Education Network to continue to have a positive impact here in Wayne County!!

Voting will be open until the night of the Chamber's Annual Banquet, December 10, 2020.  Where we will announce the team that has raised the most money as the 2020 Dancing Stars of Wayne County WINNER!!  

Dancing Stars of Wayne County Team Registration Form 

Recap:

• We will accept new Teams and Videos until December 10th
  
• Any videos received after Monday, November 2nd will be added to the website once we receive them
• Votes are $10 and can be made online, in person or by mail - check, credit card, cash are acceptable

You can include a jar in your workplace for co-workers and customers to pitch in and those dollars will be added to your total money raised.  Just Have FUN!

We cannot THANK YOU enough for your willingness to support this effort!  Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

• Lara Landers - [email protected] / (919) 920-5940 cell
• Kate Daniels - [email protected] / (919) 920-5442 cell
• Janet Brock - [email protected] / (919) 922-7406 cell

Contact the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce at (919) 734-2241 for more information on ways your company can become involved through our Sponsorship and Program Ad opportunities or email Lara Landers, [email protected].

Dancing Stars of Wayne County Goes Virtual

The Wayne Education Network (WEN), a program of the Wayne Charitable Partnership, Inc. and the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, will host the highly anticipated Dancing Stars of Wayne County once again this year, but with a twist! The Dancing Stars of Wayne County started out as a ballroom dancing competition and in recent years evolved into partnering with local dance studios, and now debuts a new format.

The need to fundraise to continue the programming of the WEN has never been greater. Over the past 10 years, 145 community stars have graced the spotlight for this fundraiser. While our annual goal to sell out the Paramount Theatre is not a reality for this year, the Wayne Education Network is hopeful to garner even more support through this virtual platform.

Businesses will choose a family friendly song (no longer than 2 ½ minutes) and have full rein of creativity to perform their entry. Once the entry fee of $200 is received, videos will be uploaded to the Chamber's website and social media sites. Votes are $10 each and the entry with the most money raised will be named the '2020 Dancing Stars of Wayne County.'

Over the past decade, Dancing Stars of Wayne County has raised $517,641 to-date to support programs of the Wayne Education Network. The need to continue these efforts is stronger than ever to support the many activities that take place annually. Entries are due by October 16th and the competition starts October 23rd. This year's winner will be announced at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Banquet on December 10th.

The WEN has supported teacher stipends, teacher mini grants, the annual Middle School Career Fair, STEAM Fair, the annual Teacher Welcome Breakfast, Golden Rule Incentive program for teachers, and the Junior Leadership program. The money goes to support these great initiatives and affects all of us here in Wayne County. Our goal is to enhance the educational and training opportunities available to students of all ages through these programs and partnerships.

The Junior Leadership Program includes high school students from across Wayne County. In its 22nd year, 401 graduates have completed the program. The WEN also funds the Career Fair. Annually 8th & 10th grade students explore interactive demonstrations between 100 businesses from various career clusters. The annual STEAM Fair welcomes 1,500 7th grade students from across the County and provides an opportunity to present and explore exhibits with the goal of helping students to understand their own potential in areas of STEAM and help build confidence and competence among their peers. To-date, $33,000 in teacher stipends has been distributed and over $132,000 in teacher mini grants has been distributed.