2025 Celebrity Dancer Profiles

I am a proud alumnus of North Hall High School (2008) and the University of North Georgia (2012). My passion for real estate led me to return to Gainesville in 2015 where I exemplify the essence of community spirit and think Gainesville is the best place to live in the whole USA.  I recently served as the President of the Gainesville Junior Chamber of Commerce, and as a businessman, I am focused on guiding county development in a manner that honors Gainesville’s unique charm while cultivating a vibrant community.  I love Lake Lanier, cutting grass, listening to 90s country music, drinking beer or coffee with friends, and I love to dance.  My mom was my first dance teacher, and I am proud to say I can dance with any partner and not step on her toes!  I’m competitive and am in this to win it – vote for me and you won’t be disappointed!

I’m a Gainesville girl through and through! Born and raised here, I graduated from Gainesville High School, then went on to the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). Now, I’m back in the heart of it all, teaching 5th grade in the Gainesville City Schools System, where I get to help shape the future of this amazing community. Beyond the classroom, I stay busy giving back through my work with the Peach State Bank Future Leaders Board, and I’m former member of the Junior League of Hall County. I also love being a part of Lakewood Baptist Church and spending my summers working with the Gainesville Housing Authority’s summer learning program. Gainesville is my home, and I’m passionate about giving back to the place that’s given me so much. That’s why I’m so excited to participate in Dancing for a Cause! It’s a fun way to support local charities and make a real impact right here in Hall County. Whether it’s through teaching, volunteering, or dancing, I’m all in when it comes to supporting Gainesville and the people who make it such a special place!

I have been farming since I can remember and have spent the last 22 years bringing a 21st-century vision to my family’s 105-year-old farm.  Jaemor Farms has become a tourist destination for nearly one million visitors annually.  In January of this year, I was sworn in as the Georgia State Senator representing Senate District 49, where I serve as a Floor Leader for the Governor in the Senate.  I live in Alto, Ga., with my wife Shelly to whom I’ve been married  for 25 years, daughter Chloe (21), and son Cohen (17). We are active members of Level Grove Baptist Church.  I love to give back to my community and am ready to brush the farm dust off my shoes and hit the dance floor.

I moved to Gainesville in 1994 to begin my career in education, teaching French and English as a Second Language at what was then Gainesville College. I am now the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of North Georgia. I have three grown children Emilie, Louisa and David who all attended Gainesville City Schools. I have held a variety of leadership roles at Grace Episcopal Church, in civic organizations, and non-profits and am currently serving on the Board of Trustees for Center Point. In my free time, I love to cook dishes from all kinds of cuisine, discover new places, and hike.  I’m dancing this year because I have seen the impact all three of these organizations have in our community and want to support their work.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and lived there until joining the Navy where I served in Virginia and Florida.  I have also lived in Illinois before finally settling in the beautiful South. I am married to Rachel and we have a 20-year-old daughter, Caitlin, and two sons: Jackson, 17, and Cooper, 9. We all live in Flowery Branch with our English Mastiff named Arthur, a Pit Bull mix named Luna, and an irascible cat named Purr.  I love playing golf and tennis and sitting by a fire listening to music or playing my guitar. I have been serving as the Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer at Northeast Georgia Health System since 2016 and am glad to now call Gainesville home.  I’m excited to dance, make new friends, and wow my family with my dance moves.

When I joined my first Zumba class six years ago, I had so little rhythm that I couldn’t clap along in church. Now I’m a certified Zumba instructor. I love a challenge, and I am an overcomer. I came from humble beginnings: born into a poor first-generation Vietnamese immigrant family and becoming a first-time mom at just sixteen. Now I am an attorney and own my firm with my husband. We have three children and three dogs. My earliest memories are of my dad volunteering in the community, and I’ve inherited that desire to give back. I serve on several non-profit boards. Dancing for a Cause combines many of my greatest loves: dancing, giving back, and competing. I was made for this!

I was born and raised in Alabama and after graduating high school, I traveled to clubs and bars to pursue a career in music, but soon realized I needed to make actual money.  I still love it, though, and play and record at home.   I moved to Dahlonega in the mid 80’s to begin a new dry cleaners business (Classic Cleaners) just off the square.  My parents were very involved in the community and were the inspiration for the move to Georgia.  I became a Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Falcons fan and thus converted to a full Georgia boy (though with the rest of the family still in Alabama, football season gets a little contentious!) In 2017, I joined Chicopee Woods Golf Course as the Head Golf Professional.  I am married to my best friend Kristy and together, we have 4 children and 3 grandchildren.  Although I’m not a dancer, I’m excited to be a part of this year’s Dancing for a Cause.  I firmly believe in supporting my community even when it means stepping out of my comfort zone.  I’ll do anything I can to support Center Point, The Rape Response Center and the Alliance for Literacy – so vote for me and help support these great agencies! 

I’m a proud graduate of Gainesville High School and the University of North Georgia. My family’s roots in Gainesville run deep, dating back to the 1950s when my grandparents, Gordon and Jean Sawyer, moved here. My wife, Julie, and I are fortunate to call this place home, along with our amazing daughter, Nora, and our two beloved dogs, Foxy and Ferris. You’ll often find me outdoors playing with my dogs, golfing, hunting, or spending time on the lake. I’m passionate about helping others, which is why I’ve built my career as a Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty. I love guiding clients and friends through the complex world of real estate, making the process smoother and more rewarding for them. In addition to my real estate work, I’m honored to work with many agencies including J’s Place, Edmondson Telford Center and Quinlan Visual Arts Center.  While I don’t have formal dance training, that hasn’t stopped me from tearing up the dance floor at concerts or weddings! I absolutely love our vibrant town and community and am ready to bring the FUNK and make a difference by helping those around us!

Born and raised in our charming city of Gainesville, I’m a local through and through, having walked the halls of Gainesville City Schools (Go Big Red!). I then studied at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!), where I began my journey into the world of interior design, a journey I later continued in the graduate program at Brenau University. Today, I’m fortunate to put my skills to use at House Dressing Interior Design. My greatest loves are my incredible husband, Daren Wayne and two wonderful sons, Bennett and Oliver. I’m thrilled and honored to have been selected for Dancing for a Cause, a cause close to my heart as it supports the invaluable work of the Hall County Alliance for Literacy, Center Point, and Bridging Hope. I look forward to contributing to these vital organizations through this exciting opportunity.