Amy Clark, David Smith win 2014 DWPCS title

Sunday, May 4, 2014
Amy Clark and David Smith perform the competition winning dance at the sixth annual Dancing with the Putnam County Stars on Saturaday night. The pair performed an impressive dance that was part tango, part cha-cha, all passion. The annual Putnam County Youth Development Commission fundraising event was held this year at the C-Bar-C Expo Center in Cloverdale.

CLOVERDALE -- When you think of cha-chas and disco, the C-Bar-C Expo Center does not immediately come to mind. However, the venue proved to be the perfect location for the Sixth Annual Dancing with the Putnam County Stars Saturday evening.

The evening opened with a fun-filled rendition of Big and Rich's "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy," choreographed by Dance Workshop's Tara Gardner, featuring not only this year's stars but several of those of years past as well.

Masters of Ceremonies Jana Bothers and Jeff Rich wasted no time getting things started as they quickly led into the first dancers of the night, Debbi Christy and Brad Sandy, who scored the first perfect 10's of the night with their county swing dance to Pitbull's "Timber."

"I'm not big into dancing styles, but I think you rocked that 'Gangnam Style,'" Judge Denny Bridges said with a smile.

Perfect scores however, were not enough to beat out Amy Clark and her partner David Smith's tango cha-cha to Jazmine Sullivan's "Bust Your Windows."

The pair looked rather serious during the actual dance, keeping in character of the cheating spouse and the hurt partner, but couldn't help but smile as the crowd erupted with applause and cheers as soon as it was over.

"I'm not really serious most of the time," Clark said catching her breath. "I loved every minute of it. I have the best partner."

Both Clark and Smith's unique dance choice made them stand out, but their passionate and elegant, perfectly synchronized routine really set them apart.

"This is one of those dances I do at home all the time," Bridges said laughing. "It was a great dance. Really, it was a good dance."

Of course, Clark and Smith weren't the only impressive dancers of the night. Paul Jedele and Ashley Clute, who earned runner-up honors, along with Brice Hill and Lindsey Sullivan, Brian Black and Sarah Bond were also among the many who collected perfect scores and kept the crowd entertained. The lowest score on the night was an impressive 29.

"I don't think we've ever had as many 10's as we've had this year," Putnam County Youth Development Commission Executive Director Linda Merkel said. "The performances we're absolutely wonderful."

With the nearly all contestants receiving perfect scores, Judge Matt Headley, Attorney Trudy Selvia and Bridges turned to their scorecards and notes, choosing Clark and Smith as the ultimate winners.

"I'm shocked. I'm still so shocked (that I won)," Clark said. "Learning how to dance and raising money for such a good cause made this experience so special."

Having the time to practice prior to the star-studded evening proved difficult as Clark juggled the schedules of her six children along with being an insurance agent for HMSB Insurance, a children's church teacher and youth group leader at Bethel Church with that of Smith's, but the hard work paid off in the end.

"We were only able to practice five times before tonight," Clark said. "He (Smith) choreographed the dance and he chose the music. It was random selection, but he did everything."

Paul Jedele and his partner Ashley Clute took second with their charleston choreographed to Will.i.am's "Bang Bang" during the 2014 Dancing with the Putnam County Stars Saturday evening.

Clark noted that she entered the competition not just to learn how to dance, a dream she's had since a young child, but also to make her family proud.

"It's been a nerve-wracking experience, but it's been worth every minute," Clark said. "I'd tell anyone who is interested in doing this, to take the chance and just do it. It's worth it."

Putnam County was able to experience a variety of dancing styles including a disco by Marty Romer and Emma Walker; a samba by Chelsey Meluch and Logan Kuhne; a musical theater number by Sam Fry and Jessyca South and a west cost swing by Brian Black and Sarah Bond, which closed out the first half of the competition.

"It has been a ball," Fry said, who noted that he threw in an extra toe touch during his routine for a laugh. I don't regret any of this. I'm sad to see it go."

Sharon Owens and Jack Earles were able to bring the program back from intermission with a '60s dance, followed by a hip-hop inspired routine from Brice Hill and Lindsey Sullivan, which was a crowd favorite.

"I was smiling through the whole thing," Bridges said of Hill. "You really did a good job. You've got some moves."

Rob York and his partner Kristi Michael also provided some laughs and smiles during their disco routine to Wild Cherry's "Play that Funky Music."

"If you're ever asked to do this, it's the greatest experience in the world," York said. "I've wanted to do this to give back to the community."

Rachelle Custis and Andrew Pace along with Alyssa Chew and David Roberts also highlighted the second-half dance numbers.

Later in the evening, Marty Romer had some Saturday Night Fever as he danced a disco number along with partner Emma Walker.

Win or lose, all the dancers had a chance to entertain the crowd of approximately 700 and raise money for a great cause, the Putnam County Youth Development.

"You're all winners," Linda Merkel told the dancers. "We certainly had a great time with them this year. I love you all; you are now in our family and you will always be a part of our family."

So, with the closing of another successful year, Merkel and her staff will be taking a break for a few days before they begin looking toward next year's competition.

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