WILL the talent she has gained from the occasional weekend dance floor boogie be enough to swing one Millicent primary school teacher to stardom?
Millicent North’s Emma Laucirica will find out when she swaps places with her students and learns a few lessons in dance, as part of this year’s Stand Like Stone Foundation Swinging with the Stars fundraiser.
Ms Laucirica will unleash her inner Beyonce and step into the spotlight with her dance partner and Mount Gambier dance teacher Jayden Green with hopes of being crowned the “star”.
She said although she was unsure who nominated her, she was surprised.
“I have not had much dancing experience, however I did grow up doing competitive gymnastics and participated in a little bit of dance in high school,” she said.
“I also enjoy putting together end of year concert dance routines for kids at school and I teach and play guitar, so hopefully having a good feel for music will help me a little bit.
“I will have a go at anything I am asked to do during the dance lessons, I like the challenge.”
Ms Laucirica has been overwhelmed by the number of positive messages and support she has received from family and friends since it was announced she was in the stellar line-up.
However, she said she feels more nervous about fundraising than dancing, which is a bit different to the thoughts of fellow Millicent representative Rob Francis, who claims to have not such fancy footwork.
“I want to raise as much as I can for a great cause,” she said.
“I have had a lot of people already tell me they would love to attend the event or donate, which is fantastic.
“As a bonus this all counts as votes for me to win the people’s choice.
“I have also already had a couple of incredibly generous people involved with small businesses across the region who have put their hand up to help me fundraise, I would love more though.”
She has already kicked off her fundraising efforts with a number of donation boxes around town and has larger events planned including a quiz and auction night.
“I would love as many people as possible to get involved in my fundraising campaign, including attending the event on the night,” Ms Laucirica said.
“It is pretty rare to be able to donate to a cause and know that your money is going directly back into your own community and that is why I think the foundation is such a unique and special cause to get behind.
“Having been a teacher and counsellor at Millicent North primary I have seen and utilised the support and initiatives that are provided by the foundation.
“Education is a big focus of theirs, especially with their back to school and stay at school initiatives.
“It is important for us to give the young people in our community the best chance at quality education and to overcome barriers that may be in the way of that.”
South East stars and their partners will practice every Sunday in the lead-up to the big event to be held on June 22.
Ms Laucirica joins Rob Francis in a line-up of eight and the pair follow in the footsteps of Millicent star footballer Steve Duldig who kicked serious dancing goals on the Barn Palais dancefloor at last year’s event.
Millicent was also represented by Cody Smith who took home the title with his partner Laura Hawkins.
