On Sunday, May 4, the new auditorium at Cherry Hill High School West is going to look more like the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif.
On that night, the red carpet will be rolled out for 16 couples participating in the seventh annual Dancing with the Cherry Hill Stars. The event raises money for the Cherry Hill Education Foundation.
Eleanor Strofman, president of the foundation, said a new program of dancing, entertainment and fun has been prepared for this year’s event. The Hollywood theme will go beyond the look of the event, with each contestant dancing to Hollywood-themed songs.
Many of the dancers are participating for their first time this year. While all come from different backgrounds and walks of life, all have some connection with Cherry Hill schools.
Among this year’s participants is Cherry Hill West science teacher and theater director Joseph Gellura who currently lives in California. Strofman said arrangements were made to get Gellura to travel to Cherry Hill for this year’s show.
“He occasionally visits here from California,” she said. “We got him to come here and dance this year.”
Gellura did his fundraising and rehearsing at home and is expected to arrive in New Jersey a few days before the show.
Also included in this year’s contestants are Frank Giordano, the president and CEO of The Philly Pops, and his wife Dottie. The pair graduated from Cherry Hill West in 1967 and 1968, respectively, and is returning to their old school to take the stage.
“There are really a lot of great stories this year,” Strofman said.
Celebrities will not only be found on the dance floor. Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter will sit at the judges’ table this year. In addition to a trophy going toward the highest fundraiser, the judges will hand out awards for the best overall dancer, best technical dancer and the most creative.
In between the 16 dancers, there will be entertainment put on by students, teachers and alumni from the school district.
“There will be two groups performing,” Strofman said. “One is the Cherry Hill Board of Education.
“They will be doing an entertainment piece with some students from East, West and Carusi. There is also a group of former alumni. They will be a group of eight dancers who will be doing a performance called ‘A Journey of Dance Through Film.’”
The Cherry Hill High School East symphony orchestra will also be performing the musical numbers at this year’s event.
Most of the proceeds from Dancing with the Cherry Hill Stars go toward grants for teachers in the school district. Strofman said teachers can apply for grants through the foundation to receive assistance with a specific educational project.
The specific projects funded by grants have varied. Strofman said subject areas from science to music and special education have all benefitted.
“Every year we get a very diverse list of requests, from a garden used to grow vegetables to the latest technology like Smartboards,” Strofman said.
The foundation started these grants in 2007. Since then, Strofman said 211 grants have been awarded.
In addition to the grants, the foundation also helps with funding for other projects. Mt. Misery and Project Graduation are two programs the foundation has contributed to each year.
Between the grants and other projects, the foundation has raised $629,455 in the past seven years.
Those hoping to snag a seat at this event will have to wait another year. Strofman said the last few tickets were sold out as of the week of April 21.
However, people at home can still participate in this year’s event. New for this year, the public can donate to their favorite dancer’s campaign. By logging on to http://www.cherryhilleducationfoundation.com/CHEF/DWTS.html, visitors can cast a vote and donate toward their favorite dancer. The poll will remain open until 8 p.m. on May 4.
