Sara Brotz

Sara is spontaneous. On New Year's Eve, she and some friends made an impromptu trip to ring in 2016 from Times Square.

Much more meaningful to Sara was the time she drove to Kansas City to pick up a rescue puppy named Wyatt. She fostered Wyatt before finding him a permanent home. More on that later.

Sara has a Siberian husky and a Scottish deerhound, who she adopted from the Sheboygan County Humane Society. Highly educated and versatile, she studied psychology, biochemistry and early childhood education at UW-Milwaukee, also earning certification in forensic science. She now works in research and development for Plastics Engineering Company in Sheboygan.

While her mind is sharp, her heart is bigger, and that heart often rules her actions and shapes her dreams.

"I have a soft spot for dogs," she says with a smile. "I would love to take part in more rescues and fostering in the future."

The last dog Sara rescued was Wyatt, a 5-month-old Australian Shepherd and Labrador retriever mix who seemed destined to be euthanized in Texas. That's where Pilots N Paws stepped in. The non-profit organization is dedicated to relocating animals out of overcrowded shelters, which often have high rates of euthanasia. After Sara's cousin drove Wyatt from Texas to Oklahoma City, a volunteer pilot flew him to Kansas City, where Sara took over.

She is now driven to earn her private pilot license, so she too can one day volunteer to help relocate pets. On Oct. 30, she completed her first solo flight.

"I'm 1000 feet in the air, and then the realization that I was alone in the plane hit me," she recalls with a laugh.

As for her dance routine, it will include some Cha-Cha and some hustle, and although she insists, "I don't know how to dance," she adds, "I'm in it to win it." Much like she guided her fantasy football team to a championship this year.

When Sara makes her mind up to do something, she usually does it.

Sara is sponsored by Plastics Engineering Company and has chosen the Sheboygan County Humane Society as her recipient charity. If Sara is the gala champion, her charity will be the 2017 partnering charity and will receive $10,000.

She will perform a cha-cha and hustle medley routine with her dance partner, Jack Ryan.