Halda Crowned Dancing Champion

Tony "AJ" Halda, 2018 Winner of Dancing With Your Stars (Ross Ragland Theater, Facebook).

Tony "AJ" Halda, holds the Mirror Ball Trophy as the 2018 Winner of Dancing With Your Stars (Ross Ragland Theater, Facebook).

Congratulations to YOUR Klamath Falls All-Star, Tony “AJ” Halda

 Klamath Falls, Ore. –  On Friday, April 20 the Ross Ragland Theater hosted a ballroom competition very much like Dancing with the Stars… only the stars were all local. 

Dancing for a chance to win $500 for their favorite local charity, courtesy of the generous sponsorship from Mia and Pia’s Pizzeria and Brewhouse were April LaGasse on behalf of Friends of the Children; Chief Dave Henslee also on behalf of Friends of the Children; Cassie Shillinglaw on behalf of the CASA; Commissioner Kelley Minty-Morris on behalf of Steens Sports Park; Tony “AJ” Halda on behalf of Youth Rising; and Manuela Pascqual on behalf of the Senior Center.

The evening started out with LaGasse, of Century 21 Realty dancing a sultry salsa to the I Dream of Jeannie theme song next came Henslee with a cheeky polka to the Gilligan’s Island theme song; Commissioner Kelley Minty -Morris danced an elegant Waltz to Game of Thrones; Cassie Shillinglaw wowed the crowd with an upbeat fox trot to Bewitched; AJ Halda showed he was the king of the Swing to Happy Days and the fiery Manuela Pasqual closed out the night with a Quick -Step set to The Flintstones. 

After an exhibition by the professional dancers, the emcee for the night, Mark McCrary came out to crown the winner of the Klamath Falls All- Stars stars.  Second place went to Kelley Minty -Morris, Klamath County Commissioner.  First place went to Tony “AJ” Halda of Ken’s Body & Paint

“I am honored to be the All-Star on behalf of Youth Rising” said Tony “AJ” Halda “and excited for the things to come for the youth of the Klamath Basin”

The winner of the event was decided entirely by popular vote with votes costing a dollar each. Many people are surprised to find is that the Theater is actually a nonprofit organization operating entirely from ticket sales and donations without any government funding or city revenue. 

Overall. the event was considered a huge success as it raised over $1,900 for the Ross Ragland Theater to continue providing world-class arts and education experienced; $500 for Youth Rising – which seeks to improve our community through supporting youth, education and the Klamath County Fairgrounds and created a lot of positive public will for five other local charities which do amazing things for the Klamath Basin.

Press release provided from The Ross Ragland Theater.