Providing life-changing opportunities to youth in Union County

Union County 4-H Foundation

Union County 4-H & Youth Development raised $59,000 at the organization’s 10th Annual Spring Gala – Dancin’ in the Clover, held Saturday, March 16th at the Union County Agricultural & Conference Center. The organization switched things up a bit by hosting two divisions of the competition – rookies and all-stars. Attorney Ellie Bragg Cobb and business owner Lynn Raye took home the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy after dancing an exciting tango to “Pretty Woman” in the Rookie division. Their dance was choreographed by Karolina Szpiech. Accountant Baxter Starnes, of Potter & Company and his dance instructor Terri Beeson was awarded the All-Star Grand Champion Award. Starnes participated and won the mirror ball trophy in the competition two years ago. However, he was ready to try his ballroom dance skills on the floor once again as an All-Star.

In the Rookie division, Angela Helms and dance instructor Max Maleshko earned second place. Anita Simpson and dance instructor Paul Montagnese received third place in the competition.

In the All-Star division, Christa Tyson and her dance instructor Pavel Antanovich won second place. Martha Allen and her dance instructor Pavel Antanovich won third place. Cobb and Raye were also this year’s Top Fundraiser and People’s Choice Award Winners.

Each spring a select group of notable Union County residents participate in a friendly ballroom dance. This year, the event had local celebrities in the All-Star division: Jerry Simpson (Stacy Yergens), Linda Geer (Paul Montagnese), Allen (Antonovich), and Starnes (Beeson). The Rookie division featured the following local celebrities: Mark and Jewell Watson (Beeson), Daija Sams and Michael Staton (Beeson), Amanda Price and Jacob Forbis (Beeson), Sharon Hager and dance instructor Pasha Antonovich, Helms and dance instructor Maleshko, Bragg and Raye, and Simpson and dance instructor Montagnese. 2018 Dancin’ in the Clover Champion Chris Plate` with dance instructor Stacy Yergens gave his commemorative dance to give away his reign as the champion.

Celebrity judges include Barbara Faulk of the Union County Community Arts Council, Dr. Mike Yoder of NC 4-H, and Bonita Simpson of Bonita’s School of Ballet. The event was emceed again by Mike Lutes of Atrium Healthcare.

The funds raised at this event will become scholarships for summer camps, leadership building conferences, state conferences, 4-H Congress, and other opportunities for 4-H members and other youth in Union County who need financial assistance.

Left to Right, Beeson, Starnes, and his wife Gwen Starnes

Left to Right, Szpiech, Raye, & Cobb

Saturday, March 16th | 6:30 p.m. | Union Co. Agricultural & Conference Center

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Bonita Simpson

​Bonita's School of Ballet

Barbara Faulk

Union Co. Arts Council

Associate Director, 4H

Dr. Mike Yoder

Our Emcee

Mike Lutes

President, Atrium Health

Our Judges