Rockin' Out at Dancing With The Stars

The music was loud, the dance floor was full and the food was plentiful. Young people from Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, and surrounding towns, rocked out Friday night at the fourth annual “Dancing with the Stars” fundraiser. All proceeds from the benefit support Masuk High School’s Vocational Program (“MVP”) for individuals with special needs and disabilities.

“The best part is seeing all of the kids out on the dance floor,” said Kippy Johnson, Transition Specialist at Masuk High School for the past 11 years.

The funds raised are used to pay the small stipends offered to students who participate in the job training programs. Masuk Principal John Battista, who attended Friday night’s party with his wife, Belinda, a Jockey Hollow School teacher, said the Monroe high school is committed to ensuring the productivity and success of all of its students.

Battista said, “The MVP gives our students the experiences and skills for success and part of that is the small stipend they receive for doing the work in the community.”

Beginning his career as a special education teacher, Battista is familiar with the challenges faced by the MVP students. “The staff of MVP goes above and beyond what is expected to support these students,” Battista added. “I am proud that I could be part of this night.”

Johnson said that her role is to match the students with the jobs available in the community. Although Trumbull’s board of education allocates funds for the small stipends, Monroe’s budget has never been able to offer similar financial support.

“The kids look forward to getting that paycheck, though, no matter how small it is,” Johnson stated.

Four years ago, a dance was held to raise money to pay participants in Monroe’s vocational program. (Trumbull pays these stipends to the MVP participants out of the education budget, but Monroe does not).

“If someone is going to be working, they should be paid,” said John Wrobel, Trumbull’s Transition Specialist. “Having an income teaches them how to budget, spend money and save. They also learn what they had to do to receive their paycheck.”

Johnson agreed. “Every teenager likes to get a paycheck,” she smiled.

She is the mother of Christopher, 23, an individual with cerebral palsy, who graduated from Masuk High School and is currently employed by the Kennedy Center.

Christopher, a tall, handsome young man, performs landscaping duties for the non-profit organization in Trumbull. He looks forward to the annual “Dancing with the Star” party.

“I like to dance a lot,” Christopher said.

His younger brother, James, 16, brought his friends to Friday’s night event, which was held at the Trumbull VFW.

Kate Hastings, a graduate of Masuk High School, also joined some of her friends who are involved in MVP. Ever since she was young, Kate has volunteered with individuals with special needs. As she enjoyed a plate filled with baked ziti and meatballs, which was donated by Vazzy’s Restaurant, Kate chatted with Sara, a student at Masuk.

Sara, 17, said that she currently works at a daycare center.

Ginny Pettigrew, a former Masuk teacher who recently retired, was also on hand to provide whatever assistance was necessary. Growing up with a cousin who had Down’s syndrome, Pettigrew likes to be involved with MVP. “I love that kids from all different towns are able to get together and have a great time,” she said. “These kids have always been very special to me.”

Kippy appreciates the assistance provided by volunteers and local businesses. The “Dancing with the Stars” fundraiser was founded by Diane Corica, a paraprofessional employed at Masuk’s Alternative School. “She is so passionate about our kids,” Kippy said.

As the party’s “d.j” Friday night, Corica’s enthusiasm was largely responsible for keeping the dance floor packed with about 100 young people.  

Cheryl Wheeler, supervisor at Community Options’ group home, was happy to accompany one of her clients to the party. “They’re having a great time,” Wheeler said. “If it wasn’t for events such as this, they wouldn’t have the opportunity to socialize and meet other people.”

Kippy agreed. “This event started out as a fundraiser but it’s turned into a major, fun-filled social event for so many young people with special needs,” she said.