'Great time' at Dancing with the Staff

WINDHAM – Last week, Windham and Raymond educators performed, for a second time, to a capacity crowd during the popular Dancing with the Staff event.

The two-night series, based on the hit ABC television show, “Dancing with the Stars,” raised money for Windham High School’s Project Graduation. This year, the affair set fundraising records.

“We raised pretty close to $15,000,” said box office manager Sandie Rogers. “It was a great year.”

For the event, staff from Windham and Raymond schools form groups and are choreographed by volunteer dance professionals. Some of this year’s participants included Windham-Raymond School Board member Toby Pennels and newcomer and Windham High School freshman basketball coach Travis Guerette.

“This has been a lot of fun,” said Guerette. “The second week people really step up their game.”

Guerette and partner Rebecca Cole, a teacher at Windham Primary School, earned a spot in the top three after the first night of dancing March 14 and added some additional stunts to their March 27 performance, including a back flip off the stage performed by Guerette. Their advanced techniques paid off as they were voted winners of the event.

“I think the most important part was that everybody had fun tonight,” said Cole. “The audience seemed to have a great time and the performers did, too.”

During the second night, ticket holders were treated to cross-dressing, acrobatic stunts, and dancers jumping off-stage almost into the audience.

“It was just a great time,” said Rogers.

From left, Rebecca Cole, Travis Guerette, a volunteer, Shelly Cook, Cindy Pellerin, Brian Rounds, Lisa Hodge and Deb Lebel all wait anxiously to perform before the second night of Dancing with the Staff. Rebecca Cole and Travis Guerette took home the winner’s trophy. Photos by Heidi Hamblen