Wade-Smith dance team preparing to jive
Brenda Harrison, Editor
The News Journal
March 18, 2015
Celebrity dancer Stephen Wade and professional dancer Kayce Smith are getting ready for the upcoming Dancing With The Stars of Florence event on March 31. They will perform a jive routine to "Blame It On the Boogie," by The Jacksons.
Wade admits his dance experience is "none." As publisher of The Morning News, he doesn't have much time for dancing and his thoughts about appearing on the DWTSF stage could be described as "sheer terror." However, he is doing this for the kids, he said, praising the efforts of The School Foundation.
"I've worked on foundations and I think The School Foundation is phenomenal. A lot of kids will benefit from me making a fool of myself on stage," he quipped.
Wade added that he is having a lot of fun learning to jive and his partner Kayce has been fantastic.
This will be Kayce Smith's first time with DWTSF. She is also dancing with a similar event in Cheraw prior to this event. Kayce studied dance for 14 years and teaches with KFA in Cheraw. She resides in Darlington where she also is a waitress at the Mayflower Seafood Restaurant. Kayce, age 20 attends the Professional Medical Training Center studying to be an EKG technician. Her sister Amanda Smith is another professional dancer in DWTSF.
Kayce said Stephen is easy to work with and a quick learner.
Noting that DWTSF is very competitive event, Stephen added that he and Kayce are pumped and going for the win. Completing this year's line up of dancers are Robert Watkins and Drew Arnold; Ashley Nance and Desiree Stokes; Fields Norwood and Tiffany Welsh; Dr. Deepak Chowdhary and Brandi Williamson; Will King and Amanda Smith; Dr. Susan Ninichuck and Jovan Kindred; Michael Miller and Cheyanne Beck; Chris Warner and Meggie Baker, Michele Pridgen and Jacob Coward; Cedrick Kennedy and Shandi Cox; and Rick Ryan and Georgie Kelley.
A panel of judges will name one couple "Technical Skills Winner" based on the contestants' overall skills. A couple will also be chosen as "Most Entertaining" by the judges. The "People's Choice" mirror ball trophies will be awarded to the three couples raising the most votes. The Social Stars trophy, a new addition this year, will be awarded to the couple receiving the most online votes. Fans may vote online for Steve Wade and Kayce Smith at www.FlorenceDancingWithTheStars.com for $10 per vote. Follow the dancers' progress on Facebook at Dancing With The Stars of Florence.