Uko Akpanuko
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Daily Herald
Swinging with the Stars was held on Saturday, March 29 at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre with the goal of raising funds for Hope’s Home. The event began with some blessings and prayers by Elder Liz and greetings from Lisa Wyatt, CEO Hope’s Home and Jacque Tisher, the founder of Hope’s Home.
“We have been in Prince Albert for I believe it’s been 12 years now and Prince Albert never disappoints,” Wyatt said. “We are always ready to be here and they are always showing up for us when we need them the most.” Presenting Sponsors Malcom Jenkins and Mark Ripley also extended their greetings to the guests and other attendees.
The event was hosted by former dancer Shari Morrison and Trevor Gowen. “(It’s) everything for our organization,” Wyatt said. “We have to fundraise every year to meet deficits. We have some government funding but because of what we do and the specialized care we provide—we want to provide exceptional care—and that means we need a lot of staffing. Unfortunately, we still need to fundraise to meet those needs, and we are willing to do it because our family and children deserve the best.”
The judges for the event were Malcolm Jenkins, a local philanthropist, a huge supporter of Hope’s Home who returned as judge from the 2024 event, Rachel Bremner, the assistant Director First Nations and Metis Services with Sask. Health authority, dance instructor with Bold Dance Production and past Swinging with the Stars professional dancer, Craig Guidinger, Director of Community Development with the City of Prince Albert and 2023 Swinging with the Stars Celebrity Dancer, and Carey Hyndman, the Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement with Orano.
There was a special performance by Lucius AKA Lulu to the excitement of the crowd. There were many interesting dance performances with Brenner Holash and partner, Sara Stahl exciting the crowd and taking home the People’s Choice. The Judges Choice Award went to local realtor Brooklynn Valcourt and Melfort Dance Centre owner and choreographer Jennifer Mauvieux, who drew on Valcourt’s musical skills for a country music-inspired performance.
“The purpose is to entertain the crowd. All of these people come out here to spend the evening with us. We just wanted to put something together that would at least get people on their feet, excited, and maybe dancing to the music,” Mauvieux added. This was Valcourt’s first time competing in Swinging with the Stars. She was inspired to do so after attending last year’s event.
“I always like doing something new and I always love a challenge,” Valcourt said. “I love being on stage. Singing is obviously my strong suit, but when I came last year and saw everyone performing, everyone was having the best time on stage. As a performer, I know how much fun that is, so I was like, ‘I need to do that too.’”
Their performance changed several times during rehearsals. Mauvieux said they tried a variety of ideas before settling on their routine.
Both dancers described the judges choice Award as the “cherry on top”. They said supporting Hope’s Home was the important part.
“I love doing anything for Prince Albert and our community,” Valcourt said. “I think Prince Albert is an amazing city, and Hope’s Home, I’ve been going to their events since before (Swinging with the Stars).”
“We’re both really grateful for the opportunity to have been asked,” Mauvieux added. “We’re both proud to be from this community.”
Final fundraising totals were not available at press time.
–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald
