Dancing for Future Stars, the main fundraiser for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Gaston, is scheduled for Saturday May 14th at the Gaston Country Club.
The cocktail hour will start at 6 p.m. and the contest will start at 7 p.m.
General admission tickets for the event are $150 each and can be ordered through the Boys and Girls Clubs website at https://www.bgcgreatergaston.org/.
The theme for the evening is “A Night with the Stars in Vegas,” and the competition will feature six local “famous” dancers who have previously competed in the annual event.
“We consider this our ‘extra year,'” said Boys and Girls Clubs CEO Chad Melvin. “The whole night is going to have a Las Vegas vibe.”
These returning “celebrities” are:
Britt Goodrich
Goodrich is Emily Goodrich’s husband and they have two sons, Beau and Banks.
A former college football player at North Carolina State University where he earned a degree in textiles, Goodrich is the owner of Goodrich Builders.
A strong supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, he said: “Let’s work to make this a great place for children to grow up and find their own direction and become the blessing God has created for them. “
Trey Pruit
Trey Pruitt is the COO of Digitrol Inc. in Gastonia and recently celebrated his 25th year with the company.
He graduated from Appalachian State University, earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology, and later earned a second degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
As an active member of the community, he currently sits on the board of the Boys and Girls Club, as well as Gaston Together. In addition, he is a member of the Rotary Club.
Pruitt and his wife Meredith live in Gastonia with their two children, Shelton and Coley.
David Ratford
Ratchford is the principal of WellPointe Advisors, LLC and has been a consultant/advisor in the senior living industry since 1978.
He graduated from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina with degrees in finance, real estate and marketing.
He lives in Gastonia and is married to Patty Owen Ratchford. They have two adult daughters and six grandchildren.
Ratchford volunteers and sits on the boards and committees of many notable nonprofit organizations, including the Gaston Community Foundation, Gaston Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, United Way of Gaston County, First Presbyterian Church, and the Gaston Chamber of Commerce.
Kyle Robinson
Robinson is from Gaston County and enjoyed dancing and gymnastics in his youth. She started volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club while in high school.
She was the 2017 Dancing for Future Stars Dance Champion and returns for the first-ever alumni event.
She lives in Cramer Mountain with her husband, Dr. John Robinson, and their children, Grace, 22, Maggie, 16, and Marshall and Eleanor (twins aged almost 2).
She is the co-founder of Wellzesta, a health technology software company specializing in senior engagement and wellbeing.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a master’s degree in health communication and gerontology.
Blake Skarpalezos
He is the father of two children Emma, 14, and Nora, 12, and husband of Rochelle Skarpalezos for 23 years.
Together, the couple works and owns several businesses in the Southeast.
Skarpalezos said, “When I was asked to dance again as an alumnus, I admit I was hesitant due to the time commitment. The hesitation was brief. The difference this organization makes in the future of the children it serves makes the decision much easier.”
Nathalie Tindol
Natalie has been in Gaston County since 1974.
Tindol graduated in 1983 from Ashbrook High School and graduated in 1987 from UNC Chapel Hill.
Tindol became managing director of Earl Tindol Ford in 1995 and bought the dealership when his father retired in 2002.
She added Subaru in 2008 and ROUSH performance in 2014.
Tindol is married to John Davis and the couple have four children.
The judges again this year are: Maureen O’Boyle of WBTV News, Jonathan Roberts, a professional dancer, and former Mayor of Gastonia, Jennie Stultz.
“I’m amazed at how generous these dancers are with their time and how generous this community is in supporting Boys and Girls Clubs,” Melvin said.
“They realize that they are having a positive impact on the lives of our children,” continued Melvin. “They want to see these kids grow up. They want to see these kids have a real, tangible path to the future.”
Bill Poteat can be reached at 828-448-0195 or [email protected]
