Mentoring stars sparkle, raise $126K for Mentor RI

Posted 5/7/19

A star-filled performance Ten amateurs and their mentors from The Dancing Feeling took to the polished floor of Rhodes on the Pawtuxet Thursday night for the 13th annual Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring. And teeing up the competition that has become

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Mentoring stars sparkle, raise $126K for Mentor RI

THEY HAD A CHEERING SQUAD: Christon Gibson, a video blogger, and Josh Morgenstein had friends join them on the floor. She won the judges’ choice for female dancer.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joelle Palmisano, life sales officer at Amica, and Josh Morgenstein closed out the evening.

FIRST UP: Insurance agent Holly-Ann Turnquist was paired with Anthony Scalzi to open the competition.

HE CAUGHT HER: Barbara Ann Fenton, wife of Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, leapt into the arms of Noah Carsten from the stage to open their routine.

PUTTING ON A SHOW: Edgar Luciano, manufacturing director at Amgen, and Deborah O’Donnell had a devoted cheering section.

LIGHT ON THEIR FEET: Grace Eng, director of special events for the Pawtucket Red Sox, and Noah Carsten perform their routine.

Beacon associate editor Ethan Hartley and Rachael Mooney glide across the floor.

WHO LET HIM IN? There was no mistaking Elvis – really Textron director of global services Al Casazza – who when paired with Briana Crowley took home the most entertaining and people’s choice awards.

GOING CLASSICAL: Peter Lamberton, compensation consultant at Cox Communications, opened his performance with Rachael Mooney with a waltz. Here Mario Hilario interviews the pair.

ON STAGE: Dancers join Jo-Ann Schofield of Mentor RI for a group on-stage photo at the end of the evening.

OPENING NUMBER: Kathy St. Jean and Mario Hilario open the evening of dance.

TAKING COMMAND: Daniel Rodrigues, sales support associate at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Kathy St. Jean were swinging. Dan won the judges’ choice for male dancer.

Posted Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:04 pm

Ten amateurs and their mentors from The Dancing Feeling took to the polished floor of Rhodes on the Pawtuxet Thursday night for the 13th annual Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring. And teeing up the competition that has become the major fundraiser for Mentor RI was Channel 10’s Mario Hilario, who since being in the show, has orchestrated and performed in the opening number with Kathy St. Jean of the Dancing Feeling, the Total Convergence Dancers and the Dance Connection. Not only did Hilario step out on the floor, he was also co-host for the night with Heather Gerstein from Lite Rock 105 and interviewing the performers and soliciting comments from the judges, David Shapiro of the National Mentoring Partnership, Roxanna Herzog, a professional ballroom dancer and judge, and Pat Masters, former news anchor at WPRI and WJAR.

The event was the most successful yet for Mentor RI, with a net of $126,000. The funds couldn’t come at a more critical time, as the program was dealt a blow last year when, because of budget cutbacks, the Warwick School Committee eliminated its support. Nonetheless, as Mentor RI president and CEO Jo Ann Schofield acknowledged in program, the agency didn’t abandon the Warwick program and with widespread community support kept it running. (Warwick Beacon photos)