Countdown to the Event
After two years, we are pleased to announce Family Abuse Center's seventh annual Dancing with the Waco Stars on October 8, 2022 at 6 p.m. in the Baylor Club. Family Abuse Center was founded in Waco, Texas in 1980 and now serves victims of domestic violence in eight counties across Central Texas.
We hope you'll join us as we tip our "Hats Off to Our Heroes". It will be an evening of entertainment as local celebrities perform in a dance competition to raise money and awareness for Family Abuse Center's mission. Some of Waco's biggest "STARS" have been teamed with professional dancers "PROS" and have begun training and preparing for an unforgettable show in October. These dancers rely on the community's support for a successful performance and a chance to win the competition on the big night. Your support also helps the staff and volunteers at Family Abuse Center to provide safety, education, and support for survivors of domestic violence.
All ticket purchases will be counted as votes ($1 = 1 vote) if designated towards a Waco Star & Pro at checkout. Purchase event tickets here.
Votes may be purchased without tickets here.
General donations (i.e. not designated for a Waco Star & Pro) may be made to Family Abuse Center here.
Meet Our Cast
Amy Rhoades
Having moved several times in life, Amy loves her new community of Waco and is happy to serve as the First Lady of Baylor Athletics. She is so proud of her husband, Mack, and all that he has accomplished! Amy is blessed to have her three beautiful daughters, their wonderful husbands and a grandchild close by! A former elementary school and high school physical education teacher, Amy considers herself retired and open to new adventures. Read her full bio here.
Bryan Tate
Bryan is a professional Ballroom Dancer with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Originally based out of Arthur Murray Fort Worth, he is now the Franchisees of Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Waco. When Bryan and his wife, Stephanie, are not competing or running their studio, they enjoy traveling, good food, and spending time on their pontoon boat with their dogs Bentley, Coup & Sam. Read more about Bryan's dance career here.
Emily Crew
Emily grew up in Waco, graduating from Midway High School in 1998. While attending Sam Houston State University, Emily and her mother, Nancy were contestants on Season 1 of “The Amazing Race” on CBS. Emily and her husband, Matt, own HGS Self Storage here in Waco- and are proud parents of two precious children; Caroline & Henry. She enjoys traveling, party planning, listening to true crime podcasts, and spending time with precious friends and family. Read Emily's full bio here.
Jim Curtis
Jim loves working with his students at the Arthur Murray Waco Studio and his favorite part of the job is helping people connect with each other and music through dance. Read more about when he started dancing here!
Sarah Moore
Sarah Moore has been a physical therapist at Baylor Scott and White for over 10 years. She specializes in treating sports and orthopedic injuries in children, athletes, and active adults. She has been happily married to her husband Ethan for 13 years. She has 3 crazy and beautiful children: Bowen, Halle, and Grady. She loves watching their sports activities and spending as much time with them as possible. She also loves to exercise, travel, and shop! She and her family are involved members at Highland Baptist Church. She is honored to dance and support our community’s Family Abuse Center this year. Read Sarah's full bio here.
Nick Sapp
Nick Sapp is an Economics student at Baylor University. He found his passion for dancing in high school and has been developing his skills. Now he has been dancing for around 6 years including multiple college ballroom dance competitions. He loves to spend his free time teaching others how to ballroom dance and playing baseball.
Jenny Higginbotham
Jenny Higginbotham has over 15 years of experience as a personal trainer in Waco. She is the owner and a coach at 610 Fit Training Studio. Jenny's studio was born out of her passion to inspire people to transform their lives physically, mentally, and spiritually through the strength found in Christ.
Patrick Rodriguez
Patricio Rodriguez is a Waco native who began dancing at the age of eight. He has performed at Disney World, on cruise ships and danced with a national collegiate dance team at the University of Stephen F. Austin. Through his years of experience, his skills have helped him to develop confidence in himself to give others the fundamentals of learning, performing and excelling in dance. his passion for dance is displayed through his classes. When you leave you will walk out wanting to come back. Learn more about his dance career here.
Hannah Ermon
Hannah Ermon is an OB/GYN at Baylor Scott & White – Hillcrest. She recently moved to Waco after completing her residency in Washington, D.C. She finds great fulfillment in helping women understand their bodies and empowering them on their health journey. Many of her patients have been impacted by domestic violence, so she is delighted to be able to support the Family Abuse Center through Dancing with the Waco Stars. Most importantly, Hannah is a wife to her ever-supportive husband, Andrew, and a mom to her daughter, Charlotte. She can’t wait to enroll Charlotte in her first tap class! Read more about Hannah here.
Mandy Dudik
Mandy Dudik has been a choreographer and instructor in dance for over 25 years. She co-owns and operates Rise and Shine Dance in Clifton Texas with her dance partner Danielle Spooner. Mandy has been married to her husband Jeff for 17 years. They share 2 daughters that are the light of their world. Read her full bio here.
Kerry Irons
Kerry Irons is enjoying retirement after practicing medicine in Waco since 1974. His community involvement includes a 25-year stint on the board of MHMR and 5 years on Vanguard Preparatory School Board. He has followed the Family Abuse Center's progress and activities through his wife Loeen's participation on the board of The Family Abuse Center, and her serving as chair of Dancing with the Waco Stars. He has two children and four grandchildren. When asked about his participation in Dancing with the Waco Stars he replied, "What's not to love about raising money for the Family Abuse Center! They provide a needed service to victims of domestic violence that oftentimes don't have any other place to turn."
Meredith Sutton
Meredith Sutton is the dance teacher and choreographer for Baylor's Department of Theatre Arts. She teaches ballet, tap, and jazz, choreographs department musicals, mentors student choreographers, and serves as an advisor to the Baylor Dance Company. She holds an MFA in Directing from Baylor University and a BFA in Dance Performance from West Texas A&M University. She is the mother of four amazing boys.
Chip Wilson
Chip Wilson is the founder and CEO of 360 Solutions, a marketing and consulting firm based in Waco. He is frequently called upon for his knowledge as a marketer, consultant, and speaker. While he is easy-going by nature, there is no doubt he is passionate about helping others start, build and run purpose-driven organizations. Learn more about Chip here!
Roxana Robles
Roxana graduated in Fashion Design and Marketing and obtained her masters degree in Tailoring at La Universidad CEDIM in Monterrey, Mexico. She began learning to sew at the age of 6 following in her mother’s footsteps. Her mother had a school for cut and manufacturing which was incorporated by the Secretary of Public Education. Creating has always been Roxana’s passion. Since arriving in Waco she has worked in the art of creating and gradually has made herself known despite a language barrier and coming from another Country. Learn more about her business here!
Chris Bullajian
Chris Bullajian is a born and raised Texan who practices law in private practice in Waco. He has been married to the love of his life, Kandy, for 21 years and they have two sweet children: Sophie (12) and Brooks (10). Chris is on the Board of Midway Little League, and enjoys coaching travel baseball, traveling, and teaching Sunday School. Read his full bio here.
Kayla Campos
Kayla Campos is the proud owner of Kayla's Dancing With Comestics. She teaches dance classes for ages five and up, Quinceaneras, Sweet 16s, weddings and special event performances. Kayla's occupation allows her to connect with those in need of a unique choreographed memorable event. She is a licensed beautician as well. Kayla offers each party a desired makeup and hairstyle to complement their night's performance. She's a one-stop-shop deal - hints the name Dancing with Cosmetics! Learn more about Kayla here!
Chad Garbett
Chad is a Waco native and Midway High School graduate. He has been the go-to concrete man for the past 32 years in Central Texas. Currently, Chad leads concrete sales and production at Big Creek Construction. Chad takes pride in working for the most well-known local and family-owned concrete business. Doing business locally has always given him an opportunity to be involved in supporting numerous philanthropies in his hometown like FFA, GoodFellas, Shriners, Ducks Unlimited and Family Abuse Center. Chad is married to his number one fan, Amy Jo Garbett. They enjoy live country music, traveling and of course dancing.
Sydney Curtis
Sydney loves teaching people to dance because of the positive change that dancing can bring and because dance has the special ability to connect people across the world, from all different backgrounds. Learn more about Sydney's love for dance here.
Hector Sabido
Hector Sabido, a native Wacoan, is currently the Director of Marketing and Advertising Sales for Prophecy Media Group, LLC, a cluster of radio stations in Central Texas. Hector received his bachelor's degree from Baylor University. He received his Masters degree in Business Administration from Tarleton State University. He and his wife, Ilda, have two children, Jeremiah and Mia. Learn more about his involvement within the Waco community here.
Stephanie Tate
Stephanie is a professional Ballroom Dancer with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Originally based out of Arthur Murray Fort Worth, she is now the Franchisee of Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Waco with her husband. Learn more about her dance career here.
Vrail George
Vrail is an eighteen-year veteran of the Waco Police Department where he currently commands the Special Victims Division and SWAT team. Prior to law enforcement, Vrail served four years in the United States Marine Corps where he deployed during both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Learn more about Vrail and his family here.
Megan Condon
Megan Condon graduated from Texas A&M in 2021 where she minored in dance. She is currently the Manger Traniee at ALICO as well as a dance instructor at Joy's School of Dance. She is a native Waco, Texas where she trained in various forms of dance. She began assistant teaching at the age 13 and has been a lead instructor for 6 years. Megan continues to support the arts in Central Texas and absolutely loves sharing the gift of dance with others! Learn more about her choreography experience here!
Meet Our Masters of Ceremonies
Ke'Sha Lopez
Ke'Sha Lopez is co-anchor of "News 10 This Morning." She has greeted Central Texas starting bright and early from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays since 2019. She first joined KWTX News 10 in April 2010 as the weekend anchor and report and has covered stories of national and regional significance including the Biker Brawl at Twin Peaks and the West Fertilizer Plant Explosion. She has also created the series "Beyond Black and White" and "Cooking with Ke'Sha." Ke'Sha graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Radio/Television with an emphasis in News Gathering. She has worked in radio and news stations in Little Rock, Ark., Monroe, La., Clarksville, Tenn., Macon, Ga., and Waco. When Ke'Sha is away from the news desk, she is in the virtual classroom, teaching Language Arts students at McLennan Community College. During her free time, Ke'Sha volunteers with different community service organizations and enjoys doing voice work for the visually impaired. She enjoys cooking, meeting interesting people, and riding horseback. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, National Association of Black Journalists, and Investigative Reporters and Editors.
Connie Nichols
Connie Davis Nichols is a Professor of Law at Baylor Law. She teaches courses relating to technology, innovation, and privacy and is the founding director of Baylor Intellectual Property Law Clinic. She received her Bachelors' Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her law degree cum laude from Maurer School of Law at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Professor Nichols' hobbies include cooking, dancing, and roller skating. Indeed, her first job was a roller skating car hop for Sonic. She is inspired and motivated by her 18-year-old son, Caden, who never encounters an obstacle he cannot overcome. He is a freshman at the University of Wyoming on an academic and athletic scholarship and will play D1 basketball for the Wyoming Cowboys. Professor Nichols firmly believes that community involvement is essential, and she feels that everyone can make a difference in their community by sharing their passions.