Representing half of the only married couple in SMM’s dance competition, Tom Verna is a reluctant participant. He got talked into dancing, which is amazing considering the last time he and his wife, Nicky, danced together was at their 1996 wedding. Even then, “She pulled me from the bar to dance our first (and only) dance as husband and wife.” Tom, who is a dentist to half of SMM’s parish, says his greatest challenge will be learning his right foot from his left. “I’m hoping I’ll just be able to stand there, snapping my fingers, while Nicky dances around me.”

Tom will dance with his wife, Nicky Verna. A dancer since age seven, Nicky is a certified group exercise and Zumba instructor. She has been leading aerobics and dance classes since 1989. During her high school days, Nicky attended the Governor’s School Scholarship Program for jazz at Bucknell University. Nicky and Tom have four children who attend SMM School.

            (10% of money raised will go to SMM Home & School)

Who knew our school principal could dance? With a built-in fan base of more than 400 (kids, that is), Barbara Burke will proudly represent the parish school in Dancing with the SMM Stars. She loves to dance and spent most of her high school weekends at Holy Cross and Monsignor Bonner mixers. The highlight (so far) of her dance experience was winning Hy Lit’s dance routine/lip sync competition at Bonner way back when. The only obstacle Barbara foresees in the months ahead is that she “loves to lead.” Which is why she’s the principal, right?

Barbara will dance with SMM parishioner Joe Mingioni. At first glance,
Joe may seem an unlikely dancer—he runs his own full-service construction company. However, he and his wife, Denise, have studied ballroom and Latin styles of dance together for years. Denise, who will choreograph Joe and Barbara’s dance, is a professional dancer who has studied, performed, and taught ballet and other forms of dance most of her life. They have two children who attend SMM School.

        (10% of money raised will go to SMM Faculty Enrichment)

With boundless creativity and over-the-top energy, Lorraine Kinslow is a natural fit for Dancing with the SMM Stars. Representing the PREP teachers, Lorraine traces her dancing roots way back – she started dance lessons when she was just five and hasn’t stopped dancing since. Her other passions include her family, cooking, entertaining, acting, doing voiceovers, selling Mary Kay Cosmetics . . . the list goes on. And she shimmies and sashays through it all. “It is music that moves my feet and stirs my soul!” she says.

Lorraine will dance with Joe Donato. Joe is an accomplished dancer whose repertoire includes salsa, swing, cha-cha, and tango. But it’s his affinity for smooth ballroom that earned him the nickname “Ballroom Joe.” Joe discovered his love of dance later than most (though his parents met as dance instructors). He is now in his eighth year of teaching at a studio in Media and by request elsewhere (www.ballroomjoe.com).

                       (10% of money raised will go to PREP)

As anyone who knows her can attest, Patty Panzo has a slight flair for the dramatic. It’s no surprise, then, that she is one of the people’s choice entries in SMM’s dance competition. While law was her primary focus in college, she does hold a minor in theater, and she is confident in many dance styles – ballroom, fox trot, swing, salsa. Backed by her husband, Andrew, and their three sons, Patty is thrilled to be part of Dancing with the SMM Stars. “I’m a performer by nature,” she says. “And I cannot wait to show my stuff!”

Patty will dance with Bob Maguire. From navigating in the US Air Force to navigating the dance floor, Bob has earned his stripes as an instructor and coach. As a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force, Bob retired after 23 years and developed an interest in ballroom dancing. He began studying dance 12 years ago and now performs, teaches and coaches dance throughout the region, particularly in Delaware. But Bob’s love of dance goes back even further. Remember America Bandstand with Dick Clark? That’s where he got his start—the studio was just two blocks from his house! 

       (10% of money raised will go to SMM Sponsor a Student)

Representing SMM seniors, Edwina Amoroso may be the one to beat in this dance competition. While many of her competitors claim to have dance experience, Edwina actually does. She has been studying ballroom dancing for more than 10 years, and rumor has it she even has a ballroom dance floor in her basement. As she prepares for the upcoming SMM Gala, this mother of three and grandmother of two will be looking to family and friends for support. After all, she says, “The old gray mare ain’t what she used to be!”

Edwina will dance with Bill Sapp. A ballroom dancer in both the American and International styles, Bill has 32 years of training in numerous dance styles, including the foxtrot, waltz, tango, cha-cha, rumba, salsa...the list goes on. He is a United States American Smooth and Rhythm Champion, has earned Top Teacher awards throughout the U.S., and runs a dance studio in Delaware (www.bs-bd.com).

         (10% of money raised will go to Little Sisters of the Poor)

No one worked harder to get into Dancing with the SMM Stars than Jodi Evert! She was voted into the competition as a people’s choice winner, and she represents SMM moms. Now, Jodi has her sights set on trading in the tinfoil version of the Mirror Ball trophy she carried around for weeks (when trolling for people’s choice votes) for the real thing. A fitness fanatic, Jodi says her motivation for competing is her love of dance and her love of St. Mary Magdalen’s. Her #1 fans are her husband, Dave, and their three children.

Jodi will dance with Austin Connors, an SMM School alumnus (class of 2000). Development director for the Media Theatre, it’s no surprise that Austin’s area of dance specialty is stage movement and choreography. Austin has many years of stage dance experience from professional choreographers, including tap dance, tango, and 1920s-style Charleston and ragtime jazz.

                    (10% of money raised will go to SMM School)

What drives Lynne Meissner to want to be a St. Mary Magdalen’s star? Her love of all things SMM. Representing the parish school alumni parents, Lynne and her husband, Doug, (the “car people”) have been fixtures at St. Mary Magdalen’s biggest events for more than 17 years. To date, Lynne says her claim to fame at SMM was being “Hot-Food Mom” for well over 10 years. With little dance experience but lots of enthusiasm, she hopes winning Dancing with the SMM Stars will be her new claim to fame...“Watch out Ginger, here I come!”

Lynne will dance with Donald J. Nee. Owner of Don’s Dance World (www.donsdanceworld.com) since 1995, Don has been dancing since age 12. He has entertained crowds at schools, malls, and festivals throughout the Delaware Valley. He regularly dazzles audiences at venues such as the Philadelphia Auto Show, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, and the Mummers’ Show of Shows.
          (10% of money raised will go to SMM’s Alumni Association)