top of page

Dancing with Our Stars A Night of Glitz, Glam, and Community Spirit!

Dancing with Our Stars

A Night of Glitz, Glam, and Community Spirit!

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon



The 11th annual Dancing with Our Stars (DWOS) lit up the night this past weekend, and it was nothing short of spectacular! Eight fabulous couples hit the dance floor for an unforgettable evening filled with fierce competition, jaw-dropping performances, and of course, plenty of sequins and sparkle. Hundreds of locals packed the venue to cheer on their favorite duos as they danced the night away, all in support of the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center.

What started as a humble vision back in 2014 by Carol Allen, the retired Executive Director of the Highlands Museum, has grown into the museum’s biggest and most anticipated event of the year. Originally created as a fundraiser for the museum, DWOS has blossomed into a beloved community tradition, drawing enthusiastic crowds year after year. Who would’ve guessed that a dance-off could become such a local phenomenon? But here we are, 11 years later, with DWOS shining brighter than ever!

One of the driving forces behind the event's success is DWOS legend Missy Rooper. Not only is she a two-time mirror ball champion, but she also helped her husband Jason and his dance partner clinch their own mirror ball trophy in 2023. This year, Rooper returned as a judge for the second time and played a pivotal role in organizing the event. “It has been a lot of fun for me to be on the other side, getting to sit back and watch instead of compete," she shared. "I am extremely passionate about this annual event and try to help all of the dancers and the HMDC staff out each year in any way I can to ensure that DWOS is as successful as possible."

Rooper, who also helped coach dancers behind the scenes, was thrilled to continue being part of something so special to the community. “I love that we have this gem in our community that not only offers something for our kids to do but also for adults to enjoy,” she added. "The staff members at the museum work extremely hard year-round, and I love that I get to be a part of that team in some capacity."

Now, let’s take a moment to spotlight the amazing couples who dazzled the crowd with their moves, and of course, a bit of sparkle:



Couple #1: Olivia Gabbard and David Markins

Olivia, a 2021 graduate of Russell High School and owner of River Cities Performance Academy, teamed up with the ever-dynamic David Markins, a seasoned DWOS competitor and co-owner of The Haus of Beauty. When they’re not tearing up the dance floor, you’ll find them spreading beauty at The Nest Day Spa. Markins noted, “My favorite part about being involved is having the opportunity to give back to the community and museum. The museum is such an asset to our area so being a part of keeping that going is amazing.”

  • Couple #2: Rick Payne and Katie Arnett

    Rick Payne, the VP and Chief Patient Experience Officer at UK King’s Daughters, partnered with the incredibly accomplished Katie Arnett, a certified Lean Practitioner and board member for several local organizations. These two brought a whole new level of grace to the competition.

  • Couple #3: Lauren Mixon and Dalton Mixon

    This dynamic duo brought their family hustle to the dance floor! Lauren, a businesswoman and mother of three, and Dalton, her husband and business partner, manage everything from Mountain Movers to a real estate venture and a newly opened range in Ashland. If they can juggle all that, they can certainly handle the dance floor!

  • Couple #4: Kirstin Green and Tiffany Laxton

    Kirstin, a full-time mom and Disney travel agent, teamed up with Tiffany, the controller at Toyota of Ashland. Together, they embodied grace and poise as they took on the DWOS competition.

  • Couple #5: Kevin Steele and Summer Nichols

    Kevin, a hairstylist and self-proclaimed gamer dad, and Summer, a first-time competitor and mother of three, had the audience laughing and dancing along with them. "It’s been an absolute blast,” Summer shared. “So many laughs, so many people rooting me on. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner!”

  • Couple #6: Eric and Amber Hudson

    Eric, a dedicated Huntington police officer and SWAT team member, and Amber, a project manager for Marathon Petroleum, brought their teamwork to the dance floor. This couple proved that police work and project management aren't the only things they excel at—they can dance, too!

  • Couple #7: Teresa Powers and Mark Minix

    Teresa, a top real estate agent and proud member of the International Realtor’s Hall of Fame, and Mark, a successful mortgage lender and business owner, brought their A-game to DWOS. Their chemistry on stage was undeniable, earning them the coveted first-place mirror ball trophy!

  • Couple #8: Blake Liles Minix and Sydney Powers

    Blake, a passionate advocate for Ashland’s revitalization and owner of Liles Interiors, teamed up with Sydney, a rising star in real estate, to bring their A+ performance to the stage. They were the picture of elegance and energy all night long.



The competition was fierce, but in the end, only one couple could take home the mirror ball trophy. Here’s how the night shook out:


  • Judge’s Choice: Couple #3 – Lauren and Dalton Mixon

  • Best Costume: Couple #5 – Kevin Steele and Summer Nichols

  • People’s Choice: Couple #1 – Olivia Gabbard and David Markins

  • Third Place: Couple #4 – Kristin Green and Tiffany Laxton

  • Second Place: Couple #1 – Olivia Gabbard and David Markins

  • First Place and Mirror Ball Trophy Winner: Teresa Powers and Mark Minix!


A huge congratulations to all the couples who participated—you truly brought your best to the dance floor!

The celebration didn’t stop after the winners were announced. The energy in the room was electric, with everyone dancing late into the night. It was clear that DWOS has become more than just a fundraiser; it’s a night that unites the community, celebrates local talent, and supports a fantastic cause.

Kim Jenkins, Executive Director of the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, couldn’t be more pleased with how the event turned out. “My favorite thing about DWOS is the energy and the joy that comes from the event. We are so thankful for our supporters, volunteers, and the community that makes this event such a great success.”

As the night came to a close, the crowd left with smiles, laughter, and the promise of another unforgettable DWOS next year. Until then, we’ll be eagerly awaiting the next round of glitter, glam, and mirror ball trophies!

150 views0 comments

Comentarios


P.O. BOX 25

Ashland, KY, 41105

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Thank You for Subscribing!

ABOUT US

 

The Ashland Beacon’s owners, Philip and Lora Stewart, Kimberly Smith, and Jason Smith, established The Greater Ashland Beacon in 2011 and over the years the Beacon has grown into what you see now… a feel-good, weekly newspaper that brings high quality news about local events, youth sports, and inspiring people that are important to you. The Greater Ashland Beacon prides itself in maintaining a close relationship with the community and love nothing more than to see businesses, youth, and civic organizations in the surrounding areas of Boyd and Greenup counties thrive. 

bottom of page