Several Pierce Countians participated in the 10th — and final — “Dancing with the Southern Stars” held August 9 in the Ware County Middle School auditorium and one of them danced to a victory.
The Pierce County father- daughter duo of Randy and Aubree Buck won the top prize, Entertainer of the Night, and also placed third in Community Choice raising $17,880.
Second place went to Pierce Countians Allie Peagler and Scott Mattox. Peagler, and Mattox placed second in Community Choice raising $20,596.26.
Finishing third in the Judges Choice were Jordan Waters of Pierce County and James Wood of Ware County.
The fourth-place award winner was the fatherdaughter duo of Philip and Aubrie Anna Smith of Douglas. The Smiths also placed fourth in Community Choice raising $16,870.
Ivy Kratzer and Jackson Hobbs, both of Ware County, placed fifth in the Judges Choice and first in Community Choice with $22,950.11 raised.
The event raised $166,861.70 for Magnolia House and the Waycross Area Community Theater (WACT). Magnolia House offers shelter and services to victims of family violence.
There were 13 teams competing in the event. The dancing teams were comprised of No. 1: Betsy Kingsbury and Stanley Sinkfield, No. 2: Lauren and Brandon Carver, No. 3: Jane Ansley Jones and Jason White, No. 4: Christy and Timothy Hattaway, No. 5: Aubrie Smith and Smith, No. 6 Susie and Grant Tison, No. 7: Emily Graham and Jace Riggins, No. 8: Kratzer and Hobbs, No. 9: Allison Holt Herrin and Casey Thornton, No. 10: Buck and Buck, No. 11: Peagler and Mattox, No. 12: Victoria and Cory Taylor, and No. 13: Waters and Wood.
Team members dressed up in costumes and showed off their best dance moves to popular tunes during the event.
There were special performances by John Glosson and Golden Isles Belly Dance. The event was emceed by Clay Thomas and Lori McNease.
The judges were Michael Smith, chief executive office of Greater Valdosta United Way, Blake Smith, area sales manager for BSN Sports, Kecia Strickland, president and chief executive officer of Qwiksite, and Stephanie Roberts, executive director of College Advancement at Coastal Pines Technical College.
Smith was the recipient of the 2025 Carol Jean Farr Community Service Award. Jackson Hobbs was named the 2025 Lylburn Booker Volunteer of the Year Award winner.
Platinum sponsors included Memorial Satilla Health, Waycross Coca Cola, Pierce Timber, Underground Excavating, Inc., and James Engraving.
Gold sponsors were Southern Sippin Cafe, The Haven, First Southern Bank, Clayton Homes, Quillian Powell Construction Co. Inc., Woody Folsom Trailers & Feed, Medicine Cabinet, Gold Key Auto, The 44 Companies, Friendly Express and Globe Life Liberty National Division: The Cannington Agency.
Silver sponsors included Alma Telephone Company, Amelia Island Coffee, Crawford Jewelers, Dan Bennett, Attorney, PC, Douglas Lions Club, Farm Bureau Jeff Davis, First Choice Brokerage, GATX, Gibson & Associates, PC, Greenback Tax Service, Hart Jewelers, Hog N’ Bones/Southern Roost, John’s Heating & Air, Inc., Kemp Law, Kirkland’s Home Furniture, Lee Hardware, Lott’s Furniture, Mac 44 Forestry, Morris Finance & Tax, Mossy Pond Lodge, LLC, Music Funeral Home, Pineland Bank, PrimeSouth Bank, Satilla Spine Center Brain Based Health, Satilla Supplies, Satilla Wellness, Stacie Jones: State Farm, Surcheros: Blackshear, The Speech Clinic, True North, Inc., Ware Express Care, White Star Supply and Yarbrough’s Office Printing & Products.
