Politics & Government
Snellville Woman Wins Local 'Dancing with the Stars'
Judge Melodie Snell Conner was the big winner of the night at a dancing competition hosted by the American Cancer Society.
The coveted mirror ball “Dance with the Stars of Atlanta” trophy was awarded to Judge Melodie Snell Conner of the Gwinnett County Superior Court at the American Cancer Society’s 37th annual Crusader’s Ball.
The event was held October 8 at the Tommy Hughes Ballroom at
Judge Snell Conner tangoed and cha cha’ed her way to two perfect scores to finish first. She was partnered with professional dance instructor Derrek Walters of Academy Ballroom and has rehearsed for the event since July.
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The couple closed the night’s competition with a show stopping performance to ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man.” Both dances earned the couple perfect 10s from the three judges.
State Rep. Brooks Coleman, of Duluth, turned out a crowd-pleasing Waltz and Swing with professional partner Amber Reich to take home second place honors. Third place went to Gwinnett County Commissioner Shirley Lasseter, who danced a Waltz and a Swing with Jeff Trent. Reich and Trent both are professional dance instructors at Academy Ballroom.
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“This night was about celebrating life and more birthdays in our fight to find a cure for cancer,” said Snell Conner. “We’ve all been touched by this disease and together we can make a difference.”
She thanked her dance partner, family and friends for their support and congratulated Coleman and Lasseter for a great night of dance competition. Snell Conner is a five-year cancer survivor and life-long resident of Gwinnett.
The 2011 Dance with the Stars of Atlanta judges included: Eddie Ares, of Academy Ballroom, Hon. Kristina Blum, Gwinnett County Magistrate Court Judge and former dancer/choreographer, and WSB-TV’s Heather Catlin.
“Everyone obviously worked hard and their performances were such a joy to watch. They were all winners – there are no losers when we are working to beat cancer,” said Blum, a third-year judge for the competition.
To date, the ACS Crusader’s Ball has raised $5 million in the fight against cancer. For more information about ACS, visit cancer.org.
(Editor's Note: This article is taken from a press release following the event.)
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