Thanks to everyone who made the 2015 Dancing With Our Stars a success

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the Nevada R-5 Relay for Life team, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the community of Nevada, for helping to make the second Dancing with Our Stars a huge success. Amazingly, the tickets sold in advance were a "sell out" in the Ella Maxwell Center for the Performing Arts. The Nevada R-5 Relay for Life committee raised just over $7,000 to be donated back to the American Cancer Society at the RFL walk on June 26.

The dancers for the evening spent many hours in advance to prepare their dances. They had the toughest job of all, but their hard work was enjoyed by many.

With great appreciation, I would like to thank the following dancers: Greg and Reanna Villagomez, Justin and Jaynee McNeely, Jeffrey Snyder and Kerri Cannon, Nathan and Brandi McInroy, Illusion Dance Troupe, Dr. Jeremy and Lori Fast, Devin and Pam White, Geoff and Beth Stewart, and Kyler Cliffman and Suni Aguilar Gasca. Many of the groups received help from choreographers and also had back up dancers.

Not only did the Nevada RFL team benefit from the event, but there were many charities involved as well. With help from the audience, $10,208.90 was raised. The charities which were represented included: March of Dimes, Ministerial Alliance, United Way, YMCA Make a "SPLASH", Learn to Swim/Water Safety Program, Birthright, Bikers Against Child Abuse, Backpacks of Love, Pin Cancer/St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the Children's Center and Community Outreach.

As stunning as ever, Brent and Lori Bartlett emceed the performance. Other essential members included: Jessica Baker and Wes Morton; Julie Ast, Karen Whitesell, and Ted Easley (Judges); Nevada High School custodial staff, Nevada R-5 administration, NRTC Printables (designing and printing the programs); NHS Soundsational Singers (performance) NHS ROTC; backstage crew, Tom and Pete Schmidt (filming/DVDs); money counters, community food volunteers, Truman School secretaries, trophy donors, Madelyn Bishop and Erin Morris.

Again, your support was over the top and we hope to bring you a 2016 Dancing with Our Stars! What a successful evening of fundraising with just over $17,000 raised. Thank you to all, for this huge team effort!

Sincerely,

Amy Ast and the Nevada R-5 RFL team members