Holman Puts On Dancing Shoes For ‘Dance Like The Stars’

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Final preparations are underway for the largest fundraiser of the year for the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi.
‘Dance Like the Stars” allows local celebrities to showcase their dance skills for thousands of people, and raise money for the clubs.

As soon as Emily Holman agreed to take part in Dance Like the Stars, she visited teh Haven Acres Boys and Girls Club.

“If I was going to ask people to give money, I wanted to know what I was giving to , so I went out there, not sure what kind of expectations I had, but went out there and told the kids, I don’t know how to dance, will you teach me, I left there with the biggest smile on my face, and in best mood, those kids are so loving, so wonderful, so great,” she said.

The Tupelo resident, mother and wife committed to take 25 one hour lessons and also raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi.

“Number one, it’s fundraising and I’ve  never been a fundraiser and number two, it’s dancing and I haven’t had a dance class since i was five, I went in with zero expectations, and I was overwhelmed, I’m sure Robbie,  on first day, thought, what have I gotten myself into with Emily,” Holman said.

Robbie Greenwood is senior dance instructor at the dance studio.  He is Emily’s teacher and choreographer.  They are dancing a waltz.

Greenwood has taken part in all but one Dance Like the Stars fundraisers .  For Emily’s routine, he faced challenges common to all of the celebrity
dancers.

“You have to make the routine entertaining, but at same time you’re dealing with someone who’s never done it, so you kind have to put simple elements in and more complicated elements in,” Greenwood said.

Holman says learning the routine has been a process.

“Started off, kind of exciting and fun, in middle got hard, I had a new appreciation for people who dance cause they make it look so easy,” she said.

Greenwood says Holman has made great progress, and he is honored to help the Boys and Girls Clubs.  He attended a club as a kid in Louisiana

“There is a lot of families who don’t have the means for children to have after school activities, or to have people to help mentor kids when out of school,” Greenwood said.

Holman may be finished with her lessons, but her fundraising continues.

“It’s not too late to donate to the Boys and Girls Clubs,” she pointed out.

Tickets are still available for the event Saturday evening at the Bancorpsouth Arena.  WCBI’s Allie Martin , who is a former contestant, will co host the event.

for more information: bgcnms.org/dance-like-the-stars