by Stephanie Elgin 

On Saturday, April 18, twelve professional dancers paired up with Santa Clarita’s best and danced the night away in front of a sold out crowd at the first Dancing With Our Stars event.  Dancing for the Senior Center was our very own Moe Hafizi and professional dancer Sheyla Cintron, who salsa’d their way to a first place trophy, raising the most money.  Second place went to Bob Hudson and his dancing partner, Trisha Teagle, who waltzed for the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.  Taking third, for the Soroptimist International of Greater SCV was Jacquie Petersen, who partnered with Tony Newhall.  Celebrity guest Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Lorena Bravo and Joshua J. Becket were on hand to judge the duos as they danced the night away all to support the local non-profits they represented.  Guests had the opportunity to cast their money votes using script while those who didn’t attend were able to pledge money via proxy votes.  Nearly $80,000 was raised for our local non-profit organizations!  Don’t put your dancing shoes away as next year’s event is already in the works!