Meet the Dancers! Dancing with the Stars of Darlington County fundraiser for Pee Dee Coalition
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
The next Dancing with the Stars of Darlington County fundraising event for Pee Dee Coalition Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault will be held on Thursday, January 28 at the Center Theater in Hartsville, and the 13 dance team pairs have been hard at work perfecting their routine. Each local celebrity is paired with a professional dancer, and the pair will compete for the winner of the event, and the People’s Choice Award winner from votes purchased by fans before and during the event. The public is invited to vote for their favorite couple for the People’s Choice Award at the DWTS website www.darlingtoncountydancingwiththestars.com.
The event is a major fundraising effort to raise money for Pee Dee Coalition to assist victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
The second in the series introducing the pairs are the dance teams of Lynn Shillinglaw and her professional dance partner Caleb Roberts, and Lauren Corry and her professional dance partner Eric Snyder.
aleb Roberts (Pro) & Lynn Shillinglaw (Celebrity) – Dance Style: Charleston.
Photo by Steve Roos
Caleb Roberts
Caleb graduated from South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities; from there he continued his training at NCSA under Ethan Stiefel. He then moved on to dance with The Boston Ballet for a season, and danced with Cincinnati Ballet for five seasons. He now teaches ballet at Dizzy Dancin in Hartsville.
Caleb shared his exciting news for this year; “I also am married to my lovely wife, Axia M. Roberts, and we just had our first baby girl.”
Roberts danced last year at the event with Harmony Parker.
Lynn Shillinglaw:
Lynn has been a R.N. for twenty years. She is a Clinical Coordinator at Genesis Health Care, Darlington and Olanta, and has worked Work for Genesis Health Care since May 2006. She graduated from McBee High School in 1986. Prior to Genesis Health Care, Lynn worked as Cardiac Critical Care Nurse from 1996-2004 at MRMC CCU; she was awarded the MRMC Sylvester Award in 1997.
Lynn and her husband, Ryan, have one daughter, Kaitlyn, who is senior at HHS IB (International Baccalaureate) program plans to attend Clemson University in the fall.
Lynn shared the following inspirational story:
“I was in a MVA in 2004 and suffered extensive multiple trauma to both upper and lower extremities and body; a total of 30 broken bones and was hospitalized for over two months. I was bed ridden for over nine months and had eight surgeries. It was suggested that I might never walk without assistance. After a great deal of determination, unimaginable support from family, friends, and community, I was able to recover after two years and return to work and most of all life, and without the use of a either a walker or a cane. One of my daily goals and prayers was to one day be able to run and play with my daughter. Now, to participate in such a worth and important cause is both by honor and a personal accomplishment.”
Eric Snyder (Professional) & Lauren Corry (Celebrity) – Dance Style: Rumba
Photo by Steve Roos
Eric Synder
Eric was born in Springfield, MA, and grew up outside of Boston, MA. His parents, Jim and Ann, just celebrated their 40th year anniversary. Eric has one younger brother.
Eric shared that he danced until the 8th grade, and his two favorite music to dance to are the “Newsies Soundtrack” and Michael Jackson’s “Black/White.”
Eric has lived in eight states in the last 15 years, and holds a Bachelor degree in Sports Management and MBA. He is currently the Head Men’s Volleyball Coach at Coker College. He and his dog, Nahla, reside in Hartsville, and is a proud first time homewoner.
Lauren Corry
Lauren grew up in Cypress, and attended Robert E. Lee in Bishopville before pursuing a degree at University of South Carolina. After meeting and marrying her husband David, she finished her studies at Winthrop University. She is a proud mother to three children, David, Grant, and Oliver. She is personal trainer and group exercise instructor at the Hartsville YMCA, and owns her own private studio at her home in Cypress. She is involved with many activities at Emmanuel Christian School where her children attend school. Lauren’s passion is helping others pursue a healthy lifestyle, and making a positive impact on young people’s lives in her community.
Lauren enjoys reading, traveling, and trying new things. Never one to shy away from new experiences, Lauren shared that she has climbed the Alps in Switzerland, hiked an active volcano in Sicily, rode a helicopter to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, experienced cave diving in the British Virgin Islands, jumped out of a plane in Georgia, and traveled the road to Hana. This year she is thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in Dancing with the Stars in support of the Pee Dee Coalition as this is a cause near to her heart.
This year’s event will be held Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the Center Theater in Hartsville. It will feature an “Old Hollywood” theme with dances, decorations and items reminiscent of the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s.
The Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault is a non-profit, volunteer based organization serving eight counties in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. Sadly, South Carolina ranks #1 in the United States for deadly violence against women. The Pee Dee Coalition hopes you will join them in this fundraising effort.
For more information, call 843-206-1838 or email DarlingtonCountyDWTS@gmail.com.
Visit their website: www.darlingtoncountydancingwiththestars.com to vote for your favorite couple for the People’s Choice Award.
