Cancer Association of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties, Inc. presents
Dancing with the Spartanburg Stars
Tel. 864-582-0771
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30am-5:30pm Fri 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
2022 Stars
Click the vote button below your favorite dancer to be taken to their personal page to vote.
Dr. Blair Clementson
Loreta Dylgjeri
Kevin Hudson
Christy Parris
David Zabriskie
Harry Clayton
Dr. Aqil Surka
Cal Wicker
Ali, a registered nurse and substitute nurse and teacher, is dancing with Brandon Graham. She is married to Jay and they have two children, Will (18) and Anna (almost 16). Ali is a member of First Presbyterian Church serving as an elder, currently on the youth and bereavement committees. She is also a member of Women Giving Spartanburg. She loves to run and walk their dogs, cook, read, and spend time with family and friends. Edisto Island is one of her favorite places where she enjoys boating and fishing with her family.
When asked to dance she said, "YIKES! I haven't 'danced' like that in a long time. But who can say no to such a wonderful cause? Or to Janice Pack?"
Mary is the front desk concierge for the YMCA Greater Spartanburg and is dancing with William Wilkins. She is the eldest of three daughters of Jane and Dan Breeden. Her sisters are Sally and Anne. Mary is Aunt "Meme" to three precious nieces and her three English cocker spaniels are an important part of her family. Mary is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Junior League of Spartanburg, and Women Giving Spartanburg. Mary says, "I don’t usually spend much time on the dance floor or in fancy clothes! You are far more likely to find me outside: on the golf course; in a deer stand, dove field, or duck blind; or fishing with my extended family at Lake Greenwood."
Mary's initial response to being asked to dance was, “'You have got to be joking!' As I thought about the invitation and the amazing work the Cancer Association does, I began to focus on the fact that while I might have two left feet, I am a “stellar” fundraiser for causes that matter to me personally and to the community."
Blair, a dermatologist, is dancing with Blake Kirsch. She has been married to Charles for 15 years and they have three children: Abby (10), Charlotte (8), and Charlie (4). She is a volunteer physician for St. Luke’s medical clinic, serving Elder at FPC Spartanburg, Women Giving member, and Troop leader for FPC Girl Scouts. Blair was a disc jockey for a local radio station in the past! She was also a fitness instructor for a trampoline aerobics class so she says "watch out dancers"!
On being asked to dance Blair says, "What an amazing opportunity! After a year of fear, compromise, and change, I could not be more excited to participate in this fantastic and fulfilling endeavor."
Loreta, Community Liaison South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind, is dancing with Markis Allen. She is originally from Albania and has been in Spartanburg for 26 years. She is a member of Women Giving for Spartanburg, Southside Lion’s Club, Uptown Sertoma club, Hatcher Garden, and Charles Lea Center Foundation. Loreta says she is dancing in honor of Anne Berline who was an inspiration for this fundraiser and so many other fundraisers in our community.
On being asked to dance Loreta said, "I am very honored to be asked by my mentor Marianna Habisreutinger to be part of Dancing with the Stars!"
Christy, co-owner of P.A.R. Grading & Hauling, Inc., is dancing with Jason Kimble. Married to Scott Parris, owner of Parris Lawn Management, and they have 4 children: Maddie, Pierce, Skyler, and Lily Scott and a stepson, Bradley Liles whom is married to Alice and they have a son, Luke. "I co-own my family business, P.A.R. Grading & Hauling, Inc., a site work contracting company, with my brother Trey Pierce. I am grateful to my father for teaching me professionally and personally the ethics needed to continue growing our family-owned business. There is not a day that goes by that I do not reflect on his teachings." Christy is a former Junior League of Spartanburg member and SPACE board member. Christy says, "I love to travel, preferably somewhere tropical, mixed with a good balance between relaxation and adventure. I will plan a trip in a skinny minute! So far, my favorite place to travel is Costa Rica!"
"Cancer has touched my life in several ways, but mostly by the loss of my father. He was courageous and strong. In just one short year, I witnessed this terrible disease beat him down."
What was Christy's initial reaction to being asked to dance? "Total Shock! Maybe even a bit of denial. I listened to the message and tucked it away while struggling with the idea of dancing in front of a crowd. I certainly don't consider myself the most coordinated dancer! However, soon after dismissing the idea, we lost our kind-hearted Golden Retriever to cancer and I started thinking of my father and how esophageal cancer took his life away too soon. At that point, the choice became quite clear! I would be honored to commit to performing in what I have always thought was one of the most spectacular entertaining fundraising events in Spartanburg. So I made the callback and committed to the challenge of having fun and giving it my all to raise funds and awareness in memory of our dog, Sophie, and my Dad, Tommy. I hope to make at least a small contribution to this worthy cause and pray I don't fall on my face!"
David, VP - Commercial Banker for First Piedmont Federal Bank of Spartanburg, is dancing with Natalie Foreverland. He is married to Lynn and they have 3 wonderful adult children and their 1st grandchild. He is a member and in the choir at Anderson Mill Baptist Church. David is a former member of the Spartanburg downtown Rotary Club, past member of the Walker Foundation (School for the Deaf and Blind), and former member of the Boys and Girls Club.
David is one of 5 biological brothers and a lady from NJ adopted all of them at the ages of 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15. His guardian mother never allowed him to give up on piano which allowed him to play at Carnegie Hall, NY.
On being asked to dance David said, "Sing like no one's listening, dance like no one's watching, and live like it's heaven on earth!"
Harry is a General Contractor and CEO of Clayton Construction. He and his wife of 17 years, Meg, have three children: Sophie (14), Mackie (11), and Harry (9). Harry is a First Presbyterian Church Diaconate, a Leadership Spartanburg graduate, involved with Boys Scouts of America, and on the Clemson University CSM Industry Advisory Board. He is also Membership Chair for Young Presidents Organization, and he serves on the City of Spartanburg Board of Appeals. Harry is dancing with Sara Brehmer.
Harry is the Summer Ping Pong champion at Fr8 Yrd. He's commercial fished in Alaska, is an amateur chef, just received his first US Patent, and caught a prize winning Blue Marlin in saltwater fishing tournament in Kona, Hawaii.
"I was just excited people still want to see my sick dance moves," said Harry on being asked to participate in this year's DWTSS.
Cal is a Vice President/Portfolio Manager at United Community Bank and is dancing with Kim Butler. Cal is a board member of Children's Cancer Partners and Mobile Meals, and he's a member of Second Presbyterian Church. He and his wife love spending time with their dog Sadie and cat Bonnie. They just celebrated their second anniversary and did a cross country road trip to celebrate. Cal lost his father to cancer in 2017 and his sister-in-law passed away from cancer when she was younger.
On being asked to dance Cal said, "I need to learn how to dance!! I am honored to have been asked to support this wonderful cause and am doing this in memory of my father, Calvin Wicker, and my sister in-law, Samantha Denny."
Kevin, a successful entrepreneur, is dancing with Seany Urick. He has been married for 29 years to his beautiful wife, Misti, and they have two children - Haley (20) and Harrison (18).
On being asked to dance Kevin said, "Absolutely! I thought you would never ask."
Local pediatrician, Aqil, is dancing with his niece, Aria Surka. He has two children - Ameera (20) and Kaif(18). He is on the board of The Roo Crew and is proud to say he is a frequent blood donor.
He is a dedicated Atlanta United and USMNT soccer fan, loves cheesy music from the 70's and 80's, and is a dog lover.
On being asked to dance, Aqil says, "I was so thrilled! I love dancing (not that I'm that good at it), and I am excited to participate and help our community."
Ali Beeson
Mary Breeden