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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 2016)
REGION Tuesday, January 12, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3A HERMISTON Preus takes Dancing with the Stars trophy Event raises more than $8,300 for BMCC Foundation By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Cam Preus took a bow and then lifted the coveted mirror ball trophy over her head as she celebrated winning Dancing with the Hermiston Stars. With a melon-sized grin, Preus, president of Blue Mountain Community College, was dancing for the school’s foundation. More than $8,300 was raised, which will go towards schol- arships for students in need. Still claiming to have two OHIWIHHW3UHXVZKRZDV¿UVW WRKLWWKHGDQFHÀRRU6DWXUGD\ night in the Hermiston High School auditorium, credited the win to her dance partner. Seth Ward of the Utah Ballroom Dance Company, Preus said, was extremely patient in teaching her. And, the coaching continued while they quick-stepped across the stage. “You couldn’t hear him, but he was giving me quiet directions on stage,” Preus said. 7KH ODVW WR WDNH WKH ÀRRU — who was runner-up for the event — was Dan Briscoe, whose chosen charity was Vange John Memorial Hospice. Performing the Argentine tango with Trina Morago, the two were one point shy of a perfect 30, receiving 10s from judges Phil Hamm and T.J. Hansell, while Jackie Peterson, a local dance instructor, gave the couple a nine. Presented by Desert Arts Council, winner of the event, which is in its fourth season, was determined through a combination of judge’s scoring, audience votes and donations made on behalf of each star. With each dollar counting as one vote, all of the dancers’ selected chari- ties were winners — raising a total of more than $15,000. Between Preus and Briscoe, the other dancers Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Shannon Snyder gets down while disco danc- ing during Dancing with the Hermiston Stars. Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Cam Preus reacts after learning she won Dancing with the Hermiston Stars Saturday in the Hermiston High School auditorium. Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Blaine Ganvoa performs the swing with Marina Hattan of the Utah Ball- room Dance Company. Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Dan Briscoe, runner-up of Dancing with the Hermiston Stars, begins the Argentine tango with partner, Trina Morago of the Utah Ballroom Dance Company. and included Debbie Cissna, Blaine Ganvoa, Jesus (Chuy) Rome and Shannon Snyder. Collin Palian got Cissna ready to rumba for Preg- nancy Care Services, where she is the center director. Peterson was impressed with Cissna’s fancy footwork with the dizzying dance, while announcer Mark Lowes, executive director of the Utah Ballroom Dance Company, asked if she felt like she survived a tornado. Goodness gracious “Great Balls of Fire,” Ganvoa jived the swing with Marina Hattan. Dancing for Martha’s House, Ganvoa scored on Peterson’s dance card. “You can be my partner any time,” she said. With a wild white wig and a bit of “Weird Science,” Rome created his partner, Haley Wayt. Had he been judged for his facial expres- sions while doing the cha Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Jesus Rome dances the cha cha with Haley Wayt of the Utah Ballroom Dance Company. cha for CASA — the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program of Head Start — Rome would have carried the trophy home. “The best part was your face ... but it took away from what was going on down there,” Peterson said. Rocking a pair of white go-go boots while the beat of “Disco Inferno” blasted through the speakers, Snyder shimmied with Joey William. Born during the height of the disco era, the dance may not be dead, but Snyder was winded after the performance. “I can’t breathe now,” she said with a laugh. Hansell called Snyder’s moves a “weapon of mass seduction.” And, before revealing her score, Hamm tricked Snyder into shim- mying one more time. While the results were being tallied for the competi- tion, the audience was treated to a dancing showcase by professionals in the troupe. Plans are already underway to bring the Utah Ballroom Dance Company back next year for another installment of the popular show, Lowes said. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539 Hermiston School District recognizes Educators of the Year East Oregonian Hermiston School District recognized some of its best and brightest Monday night with the annual Educator of the Year awards. The district also honored Sunset Elementary School principal Devin Grigg as Administrator of the Year. Grigg has been in education for 21 years, including 11 years with Hermiston School District, and has served as principal at Sunset for the past seven. Superintendent Dr. Fred Maiocco said Grigg puts student learning ahead of everything he does and is quick to study out a solution when he sees a need. Through his participation in the Herm- iston Lion’s Club he has also become the district’s point person when a student needs help obtaining glasses or a vision screening. “He is a tremendous educator,” Maiocco said. Educator of the Year recipients honored at Monday night’s school board meeting were nominated by their coworkers. Maiocco said he hoped the teachers hung up the award in their class- rooms, where students and their parents would see it. “It is important that we let them know you are an example,” he Grigg said. Recipients were Melody Bustillos, Mary Robinson, Lisa McElroy, Ashlie Stanley, Robbie Storagee, Stacy Shaefer, Jessica Campbell, Deanna Plum, Dia Bernabe and Arta Jones. The educators will also be presented to the community at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Citizens Awards banquet on Feb. 3. The district will then select one recipient to be nominated for Oregon Teacher of the Year. Bustillos Robinson McElroy Stanley Storagee Shaefer Campbell Plum Bernabe Jones BRIEFLY Speaker’s schedule postpones Rowan to address Eastern Oregon Forum Republican women PENDLETON — The Eastern Oregon Forum scheduled for Tuesday at Blue Mountain Community College has been postponed because the scheduled speaker, Anna King of Northwest News Network, has been assigned to cover the standoff in Harney County. The forum on the topic “Daughters of Hanford” will be rescheduled for a date later this month The Eastern Oregon Forum is a collaborative effort among leaders from Blue Mountain Community College, InterMountain Education Service District, the East Oregonian, American Association of University Women and Harriet Isom, former United States ambassador. For more information, call Karen Parker at 541-966-3177. Echo ranch joins Angus association ECHO — Double M Ranch, of Echo, has joined the American Angus Association, the country’s largest beef breed association. Based in Missouri, the association has more than 25,000 members and keeps records on more than 18 million registered Angus cattle. The information is used to help producers select the best animals and genetics for their herds. For more information, visit www.angus.org. PENDLETON — Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan is the special speaker for the upcoming Roundup Republican Women meeting. Rowan will discuss immigration in Umatilla County during the no-host luncheon gathering. The meeting is Thursday at 11:45 a.m. at the Red Lion, 304 S.E. Nye Ave., Pendleton. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Wednesday morning. To RSVP or more information, contact Marcia Stewart at rounduprepublicanwomen@hushmail.com, 541-276-1206 or 541-969-9163. Hospital auxiliary meets Thursday HERMISTON — People interested in learning more about Good Shepherd Medical Center’s hospital auxiliary are invited to attend an upcoming meeting. The gathering is Thursday with socializing at 9:30 a.m. and the business meeting at 10 a.m. in Conference Room 1 at the hospital, 610 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston. The volunteer organization provides services at the medical center and participates in fundraising projects for student scholarships in nursing/medical careers and medical equipment for the hospital. New members are welcome and applications are available in the hospital gift shop. For more information, contact June Rosenberg at juner1942@gmail.com. Local author Ira White to sign latest book PENDLETON — The public can meet local author Ira White, who will be at Armchair Books. White, whose latest novel, “We Won’t Forget You, Mr. McGillicuddy,” explores the everyday heroics of a family dealing with ¿QDQFLDOZRUULHVUHODWLRQVKLSLVVXHVDQG grandpa’s dementia. People can pick up a copy of the book and have it signed Saturday, Jan. 23 from noon to 2 p.m. at 39 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. White has written short stories, poems, essays and novels. In addition to speaking engagements about his publications, White addresses such topics as poverty, government surveillance and care giving for elderly people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. For more information or to reserve a copy of the book, call 541-276-7323. For more about the author, visit www.irawhite.com. CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT CLASS Oregon - Utah - Valid 35 States PENDLETON Red Lion - 304 SE Nye Ave. January 14 th • 1:00 pm or 6:00 pm Walk-Ins Welcome! OR/Utah: (Valid in WA) $80.00 or Oregon only: $45 www.FirearmTrainingNW.com • FirearmTrainingNW@gmail.com 360-921-2071
