The Standing Ovation
Allie Gartmann and Lauren Schmitt claimed the trophies but students were the big winners at the 12th and final Lakeland University Movers & Shakers Gala.
The show, which was held May 18 at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Sheboygan, raised money for Lakeland, including $50,000 for scholarships for seven Lakeland students.
Over its 12 years, Movers & Shakers raised approximately $2.3 million for Lakeland student scholarships and more than 35 public organizations.
This year's lineup featured seven community celebrities paired with professional dancers. Each dancer selected a student, and those students will each receive a $5,000 scholarship for the 2019-20 academic year.
Gartmann, an assistant buyer at Plastics Engineering Co., won the Movers & Shakers Gala championship, a combination of judges' scores and votes cast by donors. Her win earned an additional $5,000 scholarship for her student, Jaliyah Henderson.
Schmitt, co-founder of Double Vision Films, was named the Judges' Choice winner. She was dancing to support Jazmine Tidwell.
Lakeland students were invited to apply for the scholarship, and the winners were selected through an interview process with the dancers.
"What an amazing 12-run run the Movers & Shakers Gala has enjoyed," said Deborah Wente, a Lakeland Trustee and the chair of the Movers & Shakers Gala planning committee. "We wrapped it up with another fabulous night, and we were able to tell the Lakeland story and generate financial support for some really inspiring students.
"None of our success would have been possible without such strong community support and volunteer interest over the years. These people have joined our celebrities, local companies and our guests who give financially to make the Movers & Shakers Gala an event we'll never forget."
The other individual dancers included:
- David Black, Lakeland University president. Black danced to support Israel Macias-Gutierrez.
- Valerie Black, a realtor and former principal of Holy Family School in Sheboygan. Black dancer to support Karley Campbell.
- Barkha Daily, founder and owner of the cheel, a Nepalese restaurant in Thiensville. Daily danced to support Lexi Upson.
- Joe Majerus, president of Landmark Landscapes. Majerus danced to support RonniJo Nigro.
- Adam Payne, Sheboygan County administrator. Payne danced to support Danielle Chismarick.
Major sponsors of this year's gala were the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation; Sargento Foods Inc.; Studio Gear; Zimmermann Printing Co.; Sun Graphics Media; Bemis Manufacturing Company, Festival Foods; the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts; and Salon Sasé.
More information about the Movers & Shakers Gala is available at moversandshakersgala.org and on the event's Facebook page.