Local Business Leaders Kick Up Their Heels for Girl Scouts

Five local business leaders danced the night away to raise support for Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore at the fourth annual “Dancing with Our Monmouth and Ocean County Stars” event on Nov.
15 at Eagle Oaks Country Club in Farmingdale.

The fundraising event featured a rousing dance competition among the five “stars,” who were paired with professional dancers from local dance studios, and a surprise “flash mob” performance by a Girl Scout Troop from Freehold.

“Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore is grateful for the tremendous support that we received for this event. We thank the dancers, studios and judges for their time and commitment and our sponsors
and guests for their generosity,” said Eileen Higgins, chief executive officer.

A panel of judges selected Susu Garcia as the grand champion following a spirited salsa dance with her husband, Pedro Fuentes, who stepped in when her dancing partner, Richard Givney Jr. from
the Middletown Arts Center, was delayed by inclement weather. Garcia serves as
signature program specialist for Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore.

Long-time Girl Scout supporter and alumna Gale Grob, an employee at Ocean Medical Center, was top vote-getter from the public and earned the People’s Choice Award with her dance partner Sean
Nepveu from Shore DanceSport, Brick.

Also dancing for the Girl Scouts were: Robert Allison, partner at Hollman, Frenia, Allison, P.C., with Dana Masi and Denise Buchner from Fred Astaire Dance Studio Manaquan; Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholder director, and Mary Neil from Shoreline Dance Academy; and, Tom Devoy, co-host of the Thunder 106 morning show “Pork Roll and Eggs” with Anne Marie Creange from Shore DanceSport, Brick.

Arthur Murray Dance Centers of Red Bank choreographed and prepared a group of 12 Girl Scouts for a surprise salsa performance that won a standing ovation and Nina Siciliano, co-host of the
Thunder 106 morning show, kept the night moving as emcee.

Judges for the event were: Tom Grosse, Toms River Police Department, and Grand Champion of last year’s event; Jeremy Grunin, Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation; Tom Hayes, New Jersey Natural Gas; and Denise Gaffney, Monmouth Medical Center South Campus Foundation.

Higgins noted proceeds from the event will support Girl Scout programs “that build women of courage, confidence and character.”

Photo Captions:

(L to R) Gail Grob and dancing partner Sean Nepvue take home the “People’s Choice Award”
and Richard Givney, Susu Garcia, and her husband, Pedro Fuentes, capture the “Grand Champion Award” at Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s 2018 Dancing with Our Monmouth and Ocean County Stars event Nov. 15, at Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club.

A Freehold Girl Scout troop steps off the dance floor after a surprise “Flash Mob” performance at Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s “Dancing with Our Monmouth and Ocean Country Stars” event. First row (L to R ) – Ava Carter, Jordan Fahrion, Carly Richardson, Laura Keller, Alina Zaman, Aubrey Trentacoste. Second row (L to R) – Susu Garcia, signature program specialist, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, Elisa Fuentes, Eryka Fernandez, Mackenzie Miller, Amayah Barnes, Kayla Jones, Leiora Islam

About Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore serves more than 10,000 girls ages 5-18 in Monmouth and Ocean counties, providing a time-tested leadership experience that inspires and motivates them to take action for themselves and their communities. For over 100 years, Girl Scouts has helped girls become women of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For information on how to join, volunteer, partner or donate, visit jerseyshoregirlscouts.org or call (800) 785-2090.