Photo courtesy of A+ Photo Solutions

Week 1
Cha Cha to "Dance with Me"
Total Score: 24 (8-7-9)

Week 2
Quickstep to "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend"
Total Score: 27 (9-9-9)

Week 3
Rumba to "Falling Into You"
Total Score: 28 (10-10-9)

I have been a resident of Higginsville for 5 1/2 years now. Before that, I lived in Marshall, MO; Boulder, CO; Stilwell, KS; Bloomington, IL; Park Forest, IL; and Matteson, IL where I grew up. I love this small community and truly feel that this is where I am meant to be. I am very involved in the community as President of the Friends of the Library, a member of the Higginsville Theatre Company, a member of the Library Board, and a member of the Higginsville CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) where I served 2 terms as secretary. I also teach sign language at the Montessori Schoolhouse where my 4-year old son Justin attends. I teach pottery classes out of my home, and I am also an independent consultant for The Pampered Chef. I received a degree in Art Education and Ceramics at Illinois State University in 1997 and taught elementary art in Boulder and substitute taught in KS and MO. I also tutored high school students in Math, Chemistry, and Biology. In addition to Justin, I am mom to Brice who is 13 and in 7th Grade, and wife to Jon, who owns a business here in Higginsville and serves on the City Council. I love to garden, cook, read, watch reality TV, see independent films, and do jigsaw puzzles. I also enjoy creating things, especially when I have to solve a problem with limited resources or supplies; I can see a vision in my mind, and then make it into reality.

I have always enjoyed being a performer, acting and singing in my first community play at age 4, and many church and community performances since then. In 2003, I played the part of Elsa Schrader in the Old Schoolhouse Players from Concordia, MO version of "The Sound of Music", my first major acting role as an adult. I was a member of the Color Guard at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, IL and won several Marching Bands of America National Championships. I have also always enjoyed dancing, and could be found almost every Friday night at the local teen club throughout my high school years. I have always wanted to have more formal training, but did not have the opportunity. While I was sitting on the couch watching the Dancing with the Stars TV show, I could feel myself just longing to be the one dancing. Then it hit me ... why not do this in our town? And make it benefit everyone? So, the idea for this event started to form in my mind. After months of hard work, and the help of some great people, it has come together, and gotten bigger than I even dreamed, and I can dream really big!

I am looking forward to learning to ballroom dance and performing for my friends and neighbors to support our community. Please vote for me!

Photo courtesy Louis & Co. Dance Studio

A crusader for youth activism and Co. Owner of Happy Rhino Clothing (www.hrhino.com) Brandon is committed to empowering youth. He finds satisfaction in positively impacting young audiences through his work as an M.C. and hip hop dancer with Radio Disney, and as a professional dance instructor for Louis and Company. In this Brandon hopes that more young people discover the improved health and self-confidence that come from dance. He currently attends Rockhurst University where he is working toward a degree in Business Administration and Psychology.

Brandon is a dancing instructor at
Louis & Company Dance Studio.

Our mission at Louis & Company is to positively influence the community through dance. We provide a Fun, Safe, and Comfortable environment for people of all ages to learn how to dance at an affordable price. Our experienced staff guarantees the highest quality of professional excellence. Whether you wish to learn social, performance, or competition-style ballroom, we can help. It doesn't stop there! Not only do we assist people in their dancing experience, we also enjoy Energizing audiences and inspiring the crowds through our Exciting and Powerfully moving performances. Visit our website for useful information about the services we offer and other dance related topics.