From staff reports
Another year, another successful Dancing with Our Stars.
The event, hosted by the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), in partnership with the Exchange Club of Beaufort, and held at the USCB Center for the Arts on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15, 2025, raised $258,814 to support CAPA’s programs.
The event, presented by Hilton Head Cadillac, featured local “stars” paired with professional dance instructors, who captivated audiences with choreographed performances. The journey began with a kick-off dinner on November 21, 2024, where the teams were introduced and began their training.
The event featured a Preview Show on Friday, March 14, followed by the main event on Saturday, March 15, where the winners were announced.
“We are overwhelmed by the incredible support from our community, year in and year out,” CAPA Executive Director Christina Wilson said in a news release. “The funds raised this evening will significantly impact our ability to provide essential services to children and families in the Lowcountry. Our Open Arms Children’s Home celebrated its 40th anniversary on March 9, 2025. This event strongly reminds us that we wouldn’t be here without our community. We are grateful beyond measure.”
CAPA, the Exchange Club of Beaufort, and the USCB Center for the Arts extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who contributed to the success of this memorable event. Special thank you to the Beaufort County Channel for live streaming the event.
The winners of the 2025 Dancing with Our Stars are:
Team 1 – People’s Choice Award: K Squared (star Kelly Collins and instructor Kimani Brown-Carpenter)
Team 2 – Judges’ Choice Award: Gunpowder And Lead (star Greg Godfrey and instructor Hannah Lienhop)
Team 3 – Kids’ Choice Award: Fire & Flow (star Casey Phelps and instructor Megan Clavijo)
Team 4 – Alumni Choice Award: Height And Hustle (star Dee Simpson and instructor Shykeem Gardner)
Team 5 – Best Choreography: The Belles (star Allison Summerall and instructor Amy Arias)
Team 6 – Best Costume: “Man”-ifesting The Mirrorball (star Jennifer Tuckwiller and instructor Ellyn Grace Tuckwiller)
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Open Arms Children’s Home, the only local safe haven for abused and neglected children, and other CAPA programming.
About the Child Abuse Prevention Association
CAPA, a United Way agency, is a local, non-profit organization chartered in 1981 for the purpose of providing prevention and intervention programs targeted at breaking the cycle of child abuse and aiding its victims. CAPA offers community and School-based outreach, parenting education, home visitation, safe sleep education, and foster care. CAPA offers professional training for adults who are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, offers a family support/mentoring program, and operates the Open Arms Children’s Home, a residential program for abused and neglected children. Since opening its doors in 1985, over 2,543 children have lived in our safe home.
