Local celebrities Anna Laurel from ABC11, Julie Fertig from News14, Katie Kuhlman from Leesville Road High School, Michelle Marsh from WRAL-TV and Nicki Morse from Mix 101.5 WRALFM performed with dance partners from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio – David Cox, André Cleofe and Eli Garcia – on Saturday in Dancing Like the Stars at the Southern Women’s Show in Raleigh. The winners of the competition were not necessarily the best dancers, but the ones that could raise the most money for the National Inclusion Project! 
All of the dancers spent over a month practicing and perfecting their dances for the show and in between rehearsals they were dedicated to getting the most votes/donations from their viewers, friends and supporters to make sure that no child sits on the sidelines. They all worked hard at their dances, as well as their fundraising efforts, but Katie stole everyone’s hearts and claimed the trophy to win Dancing Like the Stars 2013. All together, the group raised $8000 for the National Inclusion Project!
At the show, Anna and Eli got the show started off right with their dance to Supermodel. Nicki and David, followed with their Masochism Tango – whip and all! Julie and André sped it up with their kicks and flips and had the crowd tapping their toes to the beat.
The music slowed a bit while Katie and Eli waltzed to Part of Your World. It was such a moving performance that there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. Katie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and seizure disorder at the age of 3 1/2, but she has never let her it stop her from doing anything she wants to do, including Dancing Like the Stars. Her smile lit up the stage and the crowd gave her a standing ovation.
Michelle and André finished the show with a Cha-Cha that had everyone clapping and cheering. Their
performance secured them a 2nd place finish in the competition.
We had a great time this year with Dancing Like the Stars and we want to thank all of the dancers, volunteers and donors that helped make this event a success!
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Special Thanks to the following:
- Everyone who donated and voted for the dancers
- Sharon Doherty and all our show volunteers
- Faye Parker for organizing Dancing Like the Stars
- Arthur Murray Dance Studios and their dance instructors – David Cox, André Cleofe and Eli Garcia
- Our dancers – Anna Laurel, Julie Fertig, Katie Kuhlman, Michelle Marsh and Nicki Morse
- Our judges -Alison Lawrence- owner of A Singers Art, Dick Hodgin from Osceola Recording Studios, and Bill Reh from WNCN NBC 17
- The Southern Women’s Show for their support of the event