By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Brute strength and impressive talent propelled Griffin Heckaman and Karris Nissley to victory Saturday night at the annual Dancing with the Stars for Charity in Warsaw.

It also helped that the dancers and two student choreographers — Malori McDaniels and Kayanna Sechrest — rehearsed 19 times in recent months — far more than the other nine competing teams.

[caption id="attachment_107562" align="alignright" width="350"] Griffin Heckaman lifts a smiling Karris Nissley during their second performance at the Dancing with the Stars for Charity on Saturday. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The annual event, hosted by Kensington Digital Media, attracted a sold-out crowd at Warsaw Performing Arts Center and generated $25,000 that will go to the top winners, Giving Basics, and nine other local charity groups in Kosciusko County.

The organization aims to connect Americans to people in difficult circumstances in other parts of the world, and provide clean water, food and educational resources.

The audience and four judges were left in awe of the winning dance couple's spins, flips, and lifts that were part of both of their performances.

Nissley immediately ran off the stage after the announcement to celebrate with friends in the audience before talking about her experience.

She said she had hesitations before committing to the contest.

 “I’m not a dancer. Believe it or not, it took blood sweat and tears and five to six months of two days, sometimes three days a week, coming to practice,” Nissley said. “I ran in high school and college so that helped a little bit with my endurance but I would never expected to be given this opportunity or even win – this is just crazy – I’m so excited.”

[caption id="attachment_107566" align="alignright" width="500"] From left, the winning team includes dancer Karris Nissley, student choreographers Malori MchDaniels and Kayanna Secrest and dancer Griffin Heckaman. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Nissley is 21, recently graduated from Grace College and works in digital marketing for Silveus Insurance Group.

She said she thought all the teams were practicing as much as they did.

“It really paid off and honestly, it’s all due to the choreographers. They’re an amazing group of high school girls. They’re going to go far,” she said. 

Heckaman said he was feeling blessed afterward.

“It was an incredible experience. I have loved all of it, even the challenges and it’s an incredible blessing to come and be able to represent an awesome charity and to help out the community,” Heckaman said.

Asked about his athleticism and strength that made some of the moves possible, Heckaman chuckled and said, “It’s all God-given gifts, so I’m just glad I could use it for something good.”

The 28-year-old is an Edgewood Middle School math teacher and part of the high school football coaching staff that competed in the state finals just a few weeks ago.

“It’s been an incredible year. It’s a blessing and memories that will last a lifetime,” he said.

Other charities receiving support via teams included:

• Boomerang Backpacks

• Fear is a Liar Ministries

• Fellowship Missions

• Food Bank of Northern Indiana

• Giant Paw Prints Rescue

• Habitat for Humanity Kosciusko County

• Kosciusko Community Senior Services

• myTeam Triumph

• Project Ebenezer

[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="107536,107538,107523,107529,107533,107548,107532,107526,107546,107522,107539,107537"]

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The post Dancing with Stars for Charity returns Saturday in Warsaw appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Get ready for a dazzling night of dance, entertainment, and community support — the much-anticipated Dancing with the Stars for Charity night is returning to Warsaw and tickets are now available for purchase.

The event, set to take place on Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at the Warsaw Performing Arts Center, promises to be a spectacular evening of glitz, glamour, and philanthropy.

Organized in collaboration with Kensington Digital Media, this one-night-only gala will feature an exciting mix of local celebrities and talented student choreographers, all coming together to support ten incredible local charities.

Tickets are available at www.warsawschools.org/pac, starting at just $15. With each ticket purchase, attendees will be supporting not only an evening of top-notch entertainment, but also local organizations that make a difference in the Kosciusko County community.

This year’s event will showcase an impressive lineup of 20 local celebrities from Kosciusko County, paired with student choreographers from the WCHS Dance Department. These dance teams will compete in high-energy performances, demonstrating impressive skills, stunning costumes, and a commitment to raising funds for their chosen charitable causes.

Each of the 10 dance teams has chosen a charity to advocate for, adding a personal and meaningful touch to the competition. As the teams vie for the coveted mirrorball trophy, they are not only showcasing their dance moves but also shining a spotlight on the essential work being done by these organizations.

The teams for the 2025 event are:

Team #1:

• WCS: Tim Devlin

• Community: Crystal Watters

• Choreographers: Courtney Brower and Dakota Gardner

• Dancing for: Fellowship Missions

Team #2:

• WCS: Lauren Sponseller

• Community: Scotty Rocker

• Choreographers: Ella Gonzalez and Amber Whitaker

• Dancing for: Food Bank of Northern Indiana

Team #3:

• WCS: Kelly Bradley

• Community: Nathan Underneath

• Choreographers: Victoria Peloza and Shannon Smith

• Dancing for: Project Ebeneezer

Team #4:

• WCS: Megan Davis

• Community: Scott Clay

• Choreographers: Kaelyn Stoffel and Zariya Buchan

• Dancing for: Kosciusko Senior Services

Team #5:

• WCS: Leo Patino

• Community: Courtney Brown

• Choreographers: Chloe Kim and Scarlett Walters

• Dancing for: Fear is a Liar Ministries

Team #6:

• WCS: Griffin Heckaman

• Community: Karris Sigler Nissley

• Choreographers: Malori McDaniels and Kayanna Secrest

• Dancing for: Giving Basics

Team #7:

• WCS: Joel Duran

• Community: April Slone

• Choreographers: Maddy Hart and Izzy Rozelle

• Dancing for: Boomerang Backpacks

Team #8:

• WCS: Erin Leinbach

• Community: Nash Christiansen

• Choreographers: Lily Kincaid and Kenzie Langhorn

• Dancing for: Giant Paw Prints Rescue

Team #9:

• WCS: Donna Moudy

• Community: Keaton Anderson

• Choreographers: Lexi Reece and Bella Boley

• Dancing for: My Team Triumph

Team #10:

• Community: Leo Jones

• Community: Quentin Slothour

• Choreographers: Jazmyn Taylor and Kaylee Baker

• Dancing for: Habitat for Humanity

The event will shine a light on the importance of community involvement and support. With 100% of the ticket sales going to benefit these local charities, Dancing with the Stars for Charity is an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need across Kosciusko County.

We encourage you to purchase your tickets early, as this event is expected to sell out quickly. Whether you're supporting a favorite team, enjoying the entertainment, or contributing to a meaningful cause, this will be a night to remember.

Join us for an evening where dance meets philanthropy, and where the spirit of community is on full display. Reserve your tickets today at www.warsawschools.org/pac, and get ready for an unforgettable night full of heart, hope, and high-flying fun!

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Warsaw Performing Arts Center
Tickets: Starting at $15 – www.warsawschools.org/pac

The post Who will stand out in this year’s Dancing with the Stars for Charity? appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The Dancing with the Stars for Charity is returning to the Warsaw Performing Arts Center on March 29 at 7 p.m.

This evening of dance and philanthropy will bring together employees from Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) and local community members to perform in support of 10 charities.

The event, now in its third year, continues to be an example of community spirit, raising nearly $25,000 in the past two events combined. For 2025, organizers have set an ambitious goal, according to a provided news release.

“We want to raise $25,000 in one night,” said Kris Lake, producer and organizer of the event. “Our goal is to exceed $50,000 in total donations, and I truly believe we can achieve that this year!”

What makes Dancing with the Stars for Charity particularly special is the transformation that takes place as individuals — many with no prior dance experience — prepare for the big night, the release states. The event provides the community an opportunity to see participants grow and develop through rehearsals while supporting causes in the process.

“This event is not just about dancing; it’s about coming together to make a difference,” Lake said.

Tickets for the event are available now and range from $14 to $30, depending on seating preference. One hundred percent of the ticket sales will be divided evenly among the featured charities, with the winning team’s charity receiving a slightly larger share. Tickets can be purchased online at www.warsawschools.org/pac or by calling the WCHS Performing Arts Center Box Office at 574-371-5040 during school hours.

This year’s event will feature 10 teams, each consisting of a WCS staff member, a community participant and two students from the Warsaw Community High School Dance Department, who will serve as choreographers.

The teams will perform to raise awareness and funds for the following charities: Fellowship Missions, Food Bank of Northern Indiana, Project Ebeneezer, Kosciusko Senior Services, Fear is a Liar Ministries, Giving Basics, Boomerang Backpacks, Giant Paw Prints Rescue, My Team Triumph and Habitat for Humanity.

“We aim to feature a diverse range of local not-for-profit organizations each year,” explained Lake. “Our only criterion is that these organizations serve a need of some kind within Kosciusko County.”

This year’s teams include:

• WCS staff member Tim Devlin and community member Crystal Watters, dancing for Fellowship Missions, with choreography by Courtney Brower and Dakota Gardner.

• WCS staff member Lauren Sponseller and Scotty Rocker, supporting the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, choreographed by Ella Gonzalez and Amber Whitaker.

• WCS employee Kelly Bradley and business owner Nathan Underneath, dancing for Project Ebeneezer, with choreography by Victoria Peloza and Shannon Smith.

• Megan Davis and Scott Clay, supporting Kosciusko Senior Services, choreographed by Kaelyn Stoffel and Zariya Buchan.

• WCS employee Leo Patino and Courtney Brown, dancing for Fear is a Liar Ministries, with choreography by Chloe Kim and Scarlett Walters.

• WCS staff member Griffin Heckaman and Karris Sigler Nissley, dancing for Giving Basics, with choreography by Malori McDaniels and Kayanna Secrest.

• Joel Duran and April Slone, supporting Boomerang Backpacks, choreographed by Maddy Hart and Izzy Rozelle.

• WCS employee Erin Leinbach and Nash Christiansen, dancing for Giant Paw Prints Rescue, with choreography by Lily Kincaid and Kenzie Langhorn.

• WCS staffer Donna Moudy and Keaton Anderson, supporting My Team Triumph, choreographed by Lexi Reece and Bella Boley.

• Leo Jones and Quentin Slothour, dancing for Habitat for Humanity, with choreography by Jazmyn Taylor and Kaylee Baker.

“We’re incredibly blessed to have such an amazing cast this year,” Lake said. “This event wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of our dancers, choreographers, and volunteers. What you’ll see on stage will truly be a miracle in motion.”

For tickets and more information, visit www.warsawschools.org/pac or contact the box office at 574-371-5040.

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