3rd Annual YMCA Dancing with The Woodlands Stars a huge success

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - On Thursday, April 9, twelve community members graced the stage with their professional dance partners from Affinity Ballroom Studio for the Third Annual YMCA Dancing with The Woodlands Stars. The event was held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and was complete with delicious food, a live auction, camaraderie between guests, and of course, lots of dancing.

Dancing with The Woodlands Stars is a local charity that benefits the annual YMCA Giving Campaign. The fundraiser goes towards programs such as childcare, sports, swim lessons, teen leadership, and much more. It’s programs and services like these at the South Montgomery County YMCA that provide families and children with a positive outlook on their future. Twelve brave, well-known community members stepped out on the dance floor, many without any dance experience, to raise money for this deserving cause.

The community stars included:


Catherine Irvin: YMCA member, volunteer and staff

Brooke Schmitt: Corporate Market Director for the Montgomery County Heart Association

Becky Drake: RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring Real Estate Agent

Mike Karlins: Managing Partner of Karlins, Ramey & Tompkins LLC

Brian Duval: Director of Broadcasting for Woodlands Online

Dana Tyson: Radio morning show host for Sunny 99.1

April Callihan: Human Resource team for Talisman Energy

Megan Lichenstein Meaux: Development Manager for The Woodlands Township

Stephanie Clements: Manager of Patient Experience at CHI St. Luke’s Health – The Woodlands

Rosario Fernandez: The Spa at The Waterway in The Woodlands and Abydos Learning System

Ed Jones: Executive Vice President of Woodforest National Bank

Johnny Hennigan: Past President, Vice President and Public Relations—The Woodlands Kiwanis

Dana Tyson, a radio morning show host for Sunny 99.1 was not only the emcee for the event, but was also one of the community stars who were “dancing for a cause.”

“This whole thing has been so much fun,” said Tyson. “I had all these great ideas and my dance partner thought I was insane and he said ‘just stick with me, this is what we are going to do and it will be great,’ and it was.”

Tyson and professional dance partner, Raye Avery, graced the stage with a solid performance dancing to the Christina Aguilera hit, “Ain’t No Other Man.”

The community stars and their professional dance partners took the stage one after the other. Although each pair had their different dance style and routine, all performances had one thing in common: they were all dancing to help provide families with a positive future through YMCA programs. Click here to view photos from the event.

One of the contestants was one of Woodlands Online’s own, Brian Duval, the Director of Broadcasting. Dancing to Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” Duval and his partner’s upbeat and clever dance routine had the whole audience smiling by the end.

The top three winners were chosen based on votes purchased by the audience, amount of funds raised, and the scores from the judges. The third place trophy went to April Callihan and her dance partner Aaron Lumpkin. The 2nd place winner was Dana Tyson and her dance partner Raye Avery. The 1st place winner of the Third Annual YMCA Dancing with The Woodlands Stars went to Becky Drake and dance partner Aaron Lumpkin. The duo graced the stage to the Ed Sheeran ballad, “Thinking Out Loud.”

Special awards were chosen by the judges:


Best Costume—Mike Karlins

Most Enthusiasm—Brian Duval

Special Recognition—Rosario Fernandez

Crowd Pleaser—Ed Jones

Judges Award—Brooke Schmitt

Overall, the night was full of stellar entertainment, as community stars stepped out of their comfort zone to dance for a deserving cause.