By Kristina Hernandez
Redlands Daily Facts
REDLANDS, Calif. — Six performers waltzed their way across the dance floor Saturday night during the Redlands Symphony’s annual gala.
But it was the youngest of the bunch who took home the coveted Dancing with the Stars showcase mirror ball trophy.
Event master of ceremonies Neal Waner announced Ryan Gallagher the winner of the showcase in front of hundreds inside the Orton Center at the University of Redlands during Redlands Symphony’s annual gala.
Along with his dance partner Bailey Carrillo of Fox Dance Studio, the Redlands Fire Department firefighter/paramedic celebrated the win with hugs, high-fives and lots of photo ops with supporters.
“This has been an amazing experience for me,” Gallagher said. “It was a lot more than I expected, but well, well worth it.”
The Dancing with the Stars showcase pits local celebrities against one another in a friendly round of competition to help raise funds for the symphony.
Along with spending several hours practicing their moves with professional dancers from Fox and Arthur Murray dance studios, participants are asked to solicit votes in the form of monetary donations toward the cause.
Not only did Gallagher raise the most, he also was a fan favorite among gala attendees and judges.
Past DWTS contestant and winner Roy Cencirulo remarked that when he participated in the showcase in 2013 the audience paid attention to his partner, who was also Carrillo. This time around, however, people were paying attention to Gallagher.
Following the win, Gallagher said he could not have pulled it off without Carrillo and his supporters, including wife Krista Mae, who helped the lifelong Redlander solicit donations. Asking for money was the easiest part, he said.
“It was for the cause, and I think that is what I needed to make sure was known,” he said.
Collectively, this year’s DWTS contestants raised about $33,000 to benefit the symphony. In addition to Gallagher, this year’s contestants were local attorney Andrew “AJ” Beechko; Ed Garrett, CEO of Communication Health Services; Marsha Gebara, former program director of the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival; Lynda Schauf, owner of Laura’s Travel Service in downtown Redlands; and Realtor and community philanthropist Lynn Whitmer.
The DWTS Showcase is just one highlight of the symphony’s gala.
In addition to a catered dinner, the event includes silent and live auctions and an open dance.
The amount raised from ticket sales, auctions and sponsorships was not immediately known, but Paul Ideker, president and CEO of the symphony, said he was pleased with how well Saturday’s events turned out.
“It’s a big evening for us,” he said, “but this community is very generous. They’re very invested in their orchestra, the organization.”
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(c)2016 the Redlands Daily Facts (Redlands, Calif.)