Dancing with the Saints History
-
-
About Dancing with the Saints
Dancing with the Saints is an annual fundraiser to support the students, teachers and staff of Xavier High School. The idea was spearheaded in 2015 by then XHS principal, Tom Keating, who recently witnessed a similar fundraising event in Rochester, MN, and sought to bring it to Xavier. This event would essentially replace the school's "Silver Saints" fundraising event, which had seen attendence and results diminish in recent years.
This new event would pair 10 Xavier community "stars" with area dance professionals who would dance to raise funds to support a specific cause or need at Xavier High School. The dancing couple who raises the most dollars between October and the always-exciting live event in January would be crowned the Dancing with the Saints People's Choice Champions. Celebrity judges would determine a "Judges' Choice" winner based on the dance performances during the live event.Dancing with the Saints hosted its first live event on January 16, 2016 in front of a sold-out ballroom of 400+ attendees at the Cedar Rapids Mariott. After dramatically surpassing expectations in its first season, the event moved to the DoubleTree by Hilton downtown Cedar Rapids in 2017 where it has been held annually (except in 2021 due to the pandemic) with sold-out crowds of 900-1,100+. Every Dancing with the Saints live event is entertaining, energetic, inspiring, and a wonderful example of the vibrant communal spirit that surrounds Xavier and sets our school apart.
The success and enduring popularity of Dancing with the Saints can be attributed to the strong sense of community and support that Xavier is blessed with, the willingness of our "stars" to step forward and make a difference, our amazing population of talented dancers, and the commitment of our event committee members over the years. One committee member, in particular, has been at the helm of Dancing with the Saints since its inception, serving as an event chair every year: Heidi Brown. We can't thank Heidi enough for volunteering hundreds of hours each year to make this event the biggest and best of its kind in the area. Thank you, Heidi!
-
-
-
Season 1: January 16, 2016
People's Choice Champions: Liz Efting & LD Kidd
Judges' Choice Champions: Kathy Welter & Cameron Byrd (w/ Alvon Reed)
The Stars: Michele Busse, Liz Efting, Tami Lux, Kathy Welter, Lisa Young, Pat Deignan, Brad Joens, Tom Lilly, Tom Richardson, Scott Schulte
The Pros: Aaron Canterbury, LD Kidd, Derrick Murray, Alvon Reed, Cameron Byrd, Andy Lesieur, Morgan Noonan, Charlie Dean, Erica Ireland, Vanessa Terrell, Alisabeth Von Presley
Emcees: Liz Mathis, Jeff Henderson
Judges: Chuck Long, Micki Schillig Feldmann, Scott Saville
The Cause: New Vans for XHS Activities [MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!]
Dancing with the Saints Committee:
Chairs: Heidi Brown, Karen Woods
Committee: Nick Ireland, Jody Pellerin, Di Richardson, Mary Pat Schulte, Tom Keating
-
-
-
Season 2: January 14, 2017
People's Choice Champions: Shirley Rissi & Derrick Murray
Judges' Choice Champions: Mike Glavan & Erica Ireland
The Stars: Shirley Rissi, Tony Bedard, Jeanne Joens, Duane Jasper, Shelley Helms, Andrew Last, Tim Sagers, Mike Glavan, Kathy Smith, Kathy Moeder
The Pros: Derrick Murray, Lauren Witte, Cameron Byrd, Vanessa Terrell, Aaron Canterbury, Meredith Diebold, Alisabeth Von Presley, Erica Ireland, Joe Retek, Alvon Reed
Emcees: Liz Mathis, Jeff Henderson
Judges: Kevin Boyle, Joey Gase, Scott Saville
The Cause: New Sound System/Sound Equipment for Main Gym, Theatre, Baseball/Softball [MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!]
Dancing with the Saints Committee:
Chairs: Heidi Brown, Karen Woods
Committee: Nick Ireland, Jody Pellerin, Di Richardson, Mary Pat Schulte, Tom Keating,Steve Tolly
-
-
-
Season 3: January 20, 2018
People's Choice Champions: Jodi Schimberg & Brody White
Judges' Choice Champions: Joe Kirby & Alisabeth Von Presley
The Stars: Jodi Schimberg, Nate Severin, James Klein, Dick Breitbach Jr., Darline Davermann-Reid, Teri Rexroth, Amy Valentine, PJ Cosgrove, Michelle Pitz, Joe Kirby
The Pros: Brody White, Lindsey Greenzweig, Erica Ireland, Tallis Strub, LD Kidd, Alvon Reed, Cameron Byrd, Vanessa Terrell, Aaron Canterbury, Alisabeth Von Presley
Emcees: Liz Mathis, Jeff Henderson
Judges: Maria Drees, Bobby Hansen, Scott Saville
The Cause: New Uniforms for XHS Activities [MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!]
Dancing with the Saints Committee:
Chair: Heidi Brown
Committee: Nick Ireland, Mary Harken, Lori Erner, Mary Pat Schulte, Laura Sagers, Tom Keating, Steve Tolly
-
-
-
Season 4: January 19, 2019
People's Choice Champions: Rich Murphy & Erica Ireland
Judges' Choice Champions: Patty Wright & Shawn Nelson
The Stars: Tonya Arnold, Jason Schmit, Dave Stoltenberg, Michele Brock, Lisa Stephenson, Patty Wright, Dick Galligan, Kelly Kellen, Rich Murphy, Joe Justice
The Pros: Billy Vogl, Susie Murray, Vanessa Terrell, Markus Cannon, LD Kidd, Shawn Nelson, Sara Eighme, Aaron Canterbury, Erica Ireland, Lindsey Greenzweig
Emcees: Liz Mathis, Jeff Henderson
Judges: Alvon Reed, Maria Drees, James Vandenberg, Gary Dolphin
The Cause: XHS Faculty/Staff Compensation & Additional Tuition Assistance [MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!]
Dancing with the Saints Committee:
Chair: Heidi Brown
Committee: Nick Ireland, Mary Harken, Lori Erner, Mary Pat Schulte, Laura Sagers, Tom Keating, Steve Tolly
-
-
-
Season 5: January 18, 2020
People's Choice Champions: Ted Kepros & Vanessa Terrell
Judges' Choice Champions: Tom Keating & Alisabeth Von Presley
The Stars: Tom Bueckers, Mary Hovda, Joe Vondracek, Tom Keating, Kathleen Kleiman, Alejandro Pino, Tamara Thomas, Luanne Schwach, Stephanie Hoxie, Ted Kepros
The Pros: Sara Eighme, Markus Cannon, Erica Ireland, Alisabeth Von Presley, Aaron Malec, Susie Murray, Billy Vogl, Shawn Nelson, LD Kidd, Vanessa Terrell
Emcees: Marcia Hughes, Justin Roberts
Green Room: David Schulte
Judges: Scott Saville, James Vandenberg, Shantel Klinger, Alvon Reed
The Cause: Classroom Upgrades to Active Learning Environments [MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!]
Dancing with the Saints Committee:
Chair: Heidi Brown
Committee: Nick Ireland, Mary Harken, Julie Johnson, Mary Pat Schulte, Laura Sagers, Chris McCarville, Steve Tolly
-
-
-
Season 6: January 15, 2022
People's Choice Champions: Ally Callanan & Michael Landez
Judges' Choice Champions: Kelly Hiserote & L.D. Kidd
Best Choreography: Katie Driscoll & Derrick Murray
The Stars: Kathleen Bean, Ally Callanan, Katie Driscoll, Katie Mills Giorgio, Kelly Hiserote, Jeff Henderson, Dr. David Johnson, Dave Skala, Dave Tallett
The Pros: Billy Vogl, Machael Landez, Derrick Murray, LD Kidd, Vaness Terrell, Erica Ireland, Susie Murray, Sara Eighme
Emcees: Marcia Hughes, Justin Roberts
Green Room: Liz Efting
Judges: Scott Saville, Mary Pat Schulte, Mitch Fick, Alisabeth Von Presley
The Cause: Safety and Security Upgrades at Xavier High School
Chair: Heidi Brown
Committee: Nick Ireland, Mary Harken, Julie Johnson, Kathleen Kleiman, Laura Sagers, Chris McCarville, Steve Tolly
-
-
-
Season 7: January 14, 2023
People's Choice Champions: TBD
Judges' Choice Champions: TBD
Best Choreography: TBD
The Stars: TBD
-
