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Shawn Poland didn't have to take off his shirt to win the second annual Dancing with the Stars – but he did.
Poland and his dance partner, Colette Lance, were crowned champions of the Easter Seals event Feb. 24 at the Caruso Club. Poland and Lance took an early lead in the first round of the dance competition, and managed to hold on through all three rounds.
As one of three finalists, Poland proved a force to reckon with – and baring his chest to the entire crowd in his final dance didn't hurt much either, a move that received a hardy applause from the entire crowd, especially the ladies in the audience.
The chemistry between the two helped seal their victory, and if Poland hadn't danced prior to his involvement with Dancing with the Stars, it certainly didn't show.
“We worked really hard for this, but the main thing is we were doing this for a good cause,” Lance said.
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Shawn Poland and Colette Lance celebrate their victory during the second annual Easter Seals Dancing with the Stars event by kissing their hard-earned trophy. Photo by Arron Pickard.
Taking off his shirt in the final dance was “playing to the crowd,” he said.
“I think it was all Colette; she did it all on her own,” he joked. “She's a little bit out of control, and when she does that, it just means I'm doing a good job.”
Rounding out the other dancers competing in the event was Sudbury MP Glenn Thibeault, Greater Sudbury Police director of corporate services Sharon Baiden, Rewind 103.9 announcer Jamie Panas, Investors Group representative Norm Piché and Legacy Events and Catering representative Stephanie Piché.
Nicole Blais, Easter Seals development manager for northern Ontario, said not all of the funds had been tallied by the end of the evening, but “we were very close to our ($50,000) fundraising goal, so I would say we more than likely achieved it.”
Helping to achieve that goal was a silent auction with numerous items up for grabs, as well as several live auctions. Interestingly enough, one guest paid $1,501 for a chance to go head-to-head with the Greater Sudbury Police Services tactical unit in a game of paintball.
Last year, a guest paid $1,500 for a barbecue with local firefighters, which helped contribute to the $44,000 raised during the inaugural event.
“We had a fabulous evening with a full house,” she said. “All of our dancers gave our guests a fabulous show.”
Plans are already underway for the third annual Dancing with the Stars, and tickets can be purchased by calling the Easter Seals office.
For more information about Easter Seals or its upcoming telethon in April, visit www.easterseals.org.
 
Posted by Arron Pickard 
