Mohawk Presents Calhoun’s Dancing with the Stars 2013 will hit the GEM Theatre with a March 15 opening night and conclude with a finale on Saturday, March 16 when four judges present one of the eight teams with the coveted “Mirror Ball” trophy. Both shows are scheduled to begin at 7:30pm, with the Saturday finale also streaming via a live feed at Velo Vineyard presented to accommodate the sell-out.

Dancing in the lucky number seven slot are Ryan Duke and David Hawkins. These two make a perfect pair: she’s a smokin’ hot mama guaranteed to set the stage on fire and as the Gordon County Fire Chief, Hawkins has more than thirty-five years experience in putting out flames. So no matter how much heat Duke brings as she blazes across the stage, Chief Hawkins will be there to smother the flames.

Duke is an accomplished professional with a degree in business management and years of sales experience, but it’s her three decades of dance experience that will sound off the alarms. Her childhood dance instruction began at Dancer’s Workshop with Tobi Moncus and the local dance legend, Helene McCall. She has performed as a Disney character dancer, with the Expressions School of Performing Arts and the Atlanta Dance Company. She has twenty years of choreography experience and has worked with numerous dance schools. She is a former Falcons cheerleader.

Duke is currently self-employed as a personal trainer. She is married to Heath Duke, who is a fireman working for Chief Hawkins. They have three daughters: Reece, Allie Ann and Dylan, who are all young dancers. Her family attends South Calhoun Baptist Church, where Duke is actively involved in women’s programs.

Hawkins may be a stranger to the dance floor and readily concedes that his only formal experience was dancing with his daughter at her wedding, but he brings some serious credentials with him. With more than three decades firefighting experience, he is a certified EMT, paramedic and police officer. He laughs that while he may not create any emergencies on stage, he’s the man to look for if one takes place.

Married to Linda Hawkins, he has four adult children: Kim, Lori, Rebecca and Guy. Kim is a school teacher, Lori is a pediatric nurse, Rebecca is a police officer and Guy is self-employed. Hawkins has been recognized as Paramedic of the Year. He is excited to participate in the dance competition, looking at it as an opportunity to do

something outside the box for a good cause.

Mohawk Presents Calhoun’s Dancing with the Stars is a joint fundraiser, with all profits benefiting the GEM Theatre and United Way of Gordon County. Each of the eight teams is competing in two capacities: as fundraisers and as dancers. Their fundraising efforts are limited only by their imaginations.

Team supporters may make online donations at www.gordoncountyunitedway.org until right before the finale. Online donors must make a minimum pledge of $5, with Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Those wishing to make personal donations may do so by offering their payments to United Way Director Vickie Spence at her office in the Calhoun Depot. Credit cards, cash and checks are accepted at that location. Supporters may also present their donations directly to their favored team. Donations will be collected during the Friday and Saturday shows.