National Celebrity Judges Join 2014 Dance Like the Stars Event

TUPELO, Miss. (Press Release) — The 2014 Dance Like The Stars event is August 16, and it promises to be the biggest year yet for Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi (BGCNMS). Boysand Girls Clubs of North Mississippi is honored to have Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of America and Novien Yarber, a former Oxford Boys and Girls Club member and Top 15 Male Finalist on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” to join the judging panel for this year’s Dance Like The Stars event.

Clark leads a network of more than 4,000 Boys and Girls Clubs that serve some 4 million young people annually through membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in all 50 states, in large cities and small towns, in public housing and on Native American lands, and on U.S. military installations across the globe.

“It is with great anticipation that I look forward to participating in the Dance Like The Stars event for the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. Most importantly, it is a privilege to support the great work the club is doing to create great futures for kids in the Tupelo community. This will be a fun way to showcase the mission and Clubs for all they do to assist youth and families. I can’t wait to be at the event,” stated Clark.

Novein Yarber’s love for dance began at the age of 16 during his junior year of high school. Through several challenges, Novien managed to make quite a name for himself in the commercial dance world in a short time period. He prides himself on being a well-rounded performer and training in multiple genres of dance including contemporary, jazz, hip hop, ballet and ballroom. Better known for his appearances on the hit Fox television show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ seasons 10 and 11, Novien most recently received the spot as the only male jazz contestant to make season 11’s Top 30.

This year’s lineup of local celebrities includes: Torrie Roberston, Kara James, Lori Anger, Stephanie West, Amanda Angle, Jenea Britton, Alyssa Martin, and Judd Wilson representing Tupelo; Felicia Pollard representing Oxford; Jason Harms representing Ripley; and Taylor Kitchens representing New Albany.

“We are so grateful that our local celebrities have committed their time and efforts to support the youth at our five Clubhouses”, stated Zell Long, Chief Professional Officer. “Having Jim Clark and Novien Yarber as celebrity judges and doing performances is totally awesome! I encourage everyone to be a part of this wonderful evening”, Long concluded.

The event was first started in 2006 and more than 80 community volunteers have participated. Volunteers agree to learn a professional ballroom dance routine with a professional partner from Tupelo’s The Dance Studio, but more importantly, they agree to raise funds for BGCNMS. The dancer raising the most money is named the event Grand Champion. There is also a Judges Choice award.

For ticket information, please visit www.bgcnms.org or call 662-841-6504 ext. 4.