By Amy Woods
The George Snow Scholarship Fund’s Ballroom Battle returns for its 14th year and its second as a televised event to raise money for aspiring college students.
The Dancing with the Stars-themed competition is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 14 and will air on WPTV-TV from the station’s studios as well as online. It features eight dancers, each paired with a professional, strutting their stuff during choreographed routines.
“Over the last 13 years, our event has become the do-not-miss event of the season as eight of our community’s most recognizable personalities take to the dance floor for a good cause,” said Tim Snow, the organization’s president. “Not to mention that coveted fundraising Mirror Ball trophy.”
Among those vying for the trophy awarded to the top fundraisers is Dr. Jeffrey Stein, 63, a Boca Raton internist.
“Am I going to be the best dancer?” Stein mused. “I don’t know. But I do know I am going to have the most fun.”
He plans to channel his inner John Travolta in a rhinestone-studded disco outfit.
“There’s a lot of people who do this, and they get out of their comfort zone,” Stein said. “This was a fundraiser that was so easy for me to do. I’m enjoying learning certain dances. At the same time, I’m hopefully going to put some kids through college.”
Dancing always has been part of his life, especially while he attended medical school at the American University of the Caribbean in Montserrat.
“It was my release,” Stein said. “I just used to put on a cassette and listen to ’70s music and dance in my dorm room to take the pressure off an exam or to distract me. It was my way to decompress.”
The other dancers are Elmar Benavente, Kelly Fleming, Dre Garcia, Dr. Melyssa Hancock, Ryan Reiter, Mindy Shikiar and Robert Snyder. Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Boca Raton is giving all of them a series of lessons to perfect their moves.
“Whether I win or not is immaterial because the only people who are winning are the kids who are going to get a scholarship,” Stein said. “My life is not going to change with what happens, but if I can change kids’ lives, that’s what matters.”
If You Go
What: Ballroom Battle for George Snow Scholarship Fund
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 14
Where: On air at WPTV-TV, online at www.wptv.com and https://scholarship.org/ballroom-battle
Information: 561-347-6799 or www.ballroombattle.com
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