Hollywood has nothing on Kansas City. With eight local community leaders willing to front for high school students at Cristo Rey Kansas City, our metro area has its own home-grown “stars.”
On Saturday, March 7, eight local “celebrities” will step onto the stage in front of a packed audience to open doors for students at Cristo Rey. Since last fall, these hometown heroes have been hard at work practicing dance moves with pros from Allegro Ballroom for the annual Dancing with the Kansas City Stars. By stepping out of their comfort zones, each will display a commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.
Why? Because only students with economic need can attend Cristo Rey. Highly motivated, students are proud to attend a school where 100% of graduates are accepted to college. Each enters knowing that they will work one day per week to offset approximately half of the cost of education. A longer school day and school year ensure that students complete college prep courses.
To fund the gap between what students earn at their Corporate Work Study internships and the cost of education, Cristo Rey recruited eight individuals to learn ballroom dance, entertain guests, and raise money to fund the gap. Paired with professional dancers, the stars will headline the 2015 Dancing with the Kansas City Stars.
Stars dancing for the ninth annual benefit include:
Kansas City Mayor Sly James, Silpada Design Co-President Ryane Delka, and food-company executive Ed Holland, will judge this year’s Dancing with the Kansas City Stars. Kathy Quinn, WDAF FOX 4 reporter, will serve as mistress of ceremonies. The evening will lead to a people’s choice winner, determined by the total number of $10 votes. Christy and Bill Gautreaux are serving as honorary chairs for the 2015 event.
“All involved in this event, especially the amazing dancers, give so generously of their time, energy and talent,” said Dr. Kathleen Hanlon, President of Cristo Rey Kansas City. “I am humbled to witness their commitment to help provide opportunities for the highly motivated and talented young men and women of Cristo Rey. Community support allows them to pursue their goal of achieving a college degree,” she said. “The effort and dedication of the dancers provide a powerful example for our students.”
For more information, visit www.dancingwiththekansascitystars.org.
About Cristo Rey Kansas City
Cristo Rey Kansas City is part of the network of 28 Cristo Rey high schools across the nation dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through education and work experience. Cristo Rey Kansas City provides a Catholic, college prep education enhanced by an innovative corporate work-study program to culturally diverse students with economic need. The model of education equips students to see past their urban roots toward college and beyond.