Area Leaders Prepare for 'Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars'

Fred Rankin's schedule is busier than usual these days.  When he's not shopping for just the right color shirt to match his dance partner's costume, he's at Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio practicing for Saturday night's Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars.

The president and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare is one of ten area leaders partnered with Strictly Ballroom instructors to compete August 17 for the People's Choice Award and help raise money to endow the UMW Performing Arts in the Community Scholarship.

Rankin and his dance partner Tiffany Kelly allowed me into one of their rehearsals.  The two are dancing to the Oscar-winning Best Song "Flashdance...What a Feeling."  A brief video of their practice is attached.

Some of the other dancers shared their strategy with me.

Rich McDaniel, Senior Vice President, CBRE
"My strategy is to do whatever Melissa tells me to do! She is a great dancer and very fun teacher.  Hopefully she will allow me to survive the event."

Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor, City of Fredericksburg
"My strategy has been to have fun and WIN."

Bill Young, CEO, Virginia Partners Bank
"I am dancing with Melissa Scott and my strategy is simply to stay vertical during the performance and not to embarrass myself too badly!"

Susan Garnett Spears, President, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce
"My partner is Michael Scott. Our strategy has been to work hard – practice, practice, practice! – and to enjoy dancing our Samba together. He is an amazing teacher and I’m certain his goal is to make each one of us shine. This has been a wonderful experience and I plan to continue lessons with Michael after the event is over."

Rick Hurley, President, UMW
"My strategy has been simple; learn the dance so I won't embarrass myself. Tiffany is my dance partner.  She is an excellent, wonderful, very patient instructor."

Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Principal, Walker-Grant Middle School
Replacement for Deidre White.  Dance partner: Michael Scott.
"My strategy for the competition is to have fun and remind everyone that yes it’s a competition; but it’s much larger than a dance competition. It’s about supporting the community, the arts and students. Also, I want my competitors to know that I may be the newcomer, but beware of my new dance moves. As principal, I’ve taken a few pies in the face at pep rallies from students, so a little dancing doesn’t scare me."

Marty Bass, retired lawyer and judge, adjunct instructor, UMW
"I believe the arts nourish and sustain the spirit of our community, and I am happy to be a part of this event to support the arts at Mary Washington. My dancing is hardly an art form, but this has been great fun, and the teachers have shown amazing patience in helping me prepare."

The other competitors are:

• Caressa Cameron-Jackson, Miss America 2010
• Ellen Killough, President and CEO, Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center