Two weeks ago, I received a voicemail from one of my favorite people.  My heart skipped a million beats.  I couldn’t call her back faster.  Staci (afore mentioned favorite person) works for Augusta Levy Learning Center and two years ago, Bennett was asked to dance in their annual Dancing With the Ohio Valley Stars, which is the ALLC’s biggest fundraiser.  It’s also Wheeling’s most awesome fundraiser.  And I’ve been dropping not-so-subtle hints for the last two years that I’d die to participate.  I even volunteered to make a tutu for a life-sized steel elephant last year.  Anything to get in with the big dogs, right?  Ha!

I’m pretty sure that being asked to dance and participate in this fabulous event is as close to a major award that I’ll ever get.  No joke.

I AM SO EXCITED YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I’m even more excited that I can finally talk about it.  Yesterday was the “media blitz” for the event and the hush order has been lifted.  Whew.

We had the official press release inside of the gorgeous Capitol Theatre in Wheeling.  I’m never mad when my journey leads me to the Capitol Theatre.

Here’s the official WTRF broadcast if you’d like to check it out: Augusta Levy Learning Center Announces 2016 Lineup for Dancing with the Ohio Valley Stars

We were then lead upstairs for some photos and a quick interview for a media set.  I was okay with the photos.  I was in PANIC MODE over the video.  If you remember me mentioning before, I am terrible at interviews.  I get overwhelmed and worked up and cry.  I can’t help myself.   #crazyperson

BUT!  Guess who held it together and didn’t shed a single tear?  This girl!  WOOT!  I can’t verify the quality of my interview.  But I didn’t cry.  So that goes down in history as the best video spot ever.

Now allow me to gush about my pro partner!

I was assigned to Walker Holloway.  Who was actually one of the stars last year, but loved it so much that he’s been working his tail off all year and is a pro this year.  How fun is that?  He’s been training at an Arthur Murray Dance Studio up in PA and you can tell!  I remember seeing him on stage last year and, while he did awesome back then, there is such an obvious difference this year.

Walker has been such an amazing teacher and partner!  He has literally kept me from falling on my face a few times, and is incredibly patient with me when I force him to run the same steps a million times in a row because my brain and feet won’t do the same thing at the same time.

Ballroom dancing is a whole new monster for me.  I totally thought I’d go into this without a single hitch.  Yet here I am, completely humbled.  And I am obsessed and absolutely loving the new personal challenge that DWTOVS is giving me.

Don’t worry.  We’ve only had four practices (tonight is another night of intensive Katy-needs-to-get-her-feet-in-line drills!) and we’ve got until November 5 to perfect our dance.  Which means you’ll be hearing a lot about my star-lit dance journey over the next five weeks.

Oh!  And if you’re a local, or even local-ish, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come out to the performance.  Tickets are now on sale and the profits benefit one of the most worthy causes ever.  The Augusta Levy Learning Center is amazing.  The staff is amazing.  And this event is amazing.  Need I say more?

#McKinleyHolloway2016 #MakeWheelingDanceAgain #DWTOVS