Final four dancers looking forward to Friday

Only a handful of days remain before celebrity dancers put their best foot forward in the 2014 Fallon Dancing with the Stars, which is sponsored by the Fallon Swing Dance Boosters.

The eight local celebrities and their partners will show their moves Friday at the Churchill County High School gymnasium. The first dance begins at 7 p.m., and tickets may be purchased in advance from Churchill County High School, Robertson & Koenig Optometry or Jeff’s Copy Express. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Tickets are $10 for students and adults, and $8 for children under 12 and seniors 65 and older.

In addition to the celebrity dancers and their partners, the CCHS Swing Competition and Performance teams will display their wide range of dancing and to broaden the appreciation for ballroom and swing dance. Those groups competing include the high school’s Competition and Performance Swing Teams; Juniorz, Starz and Peeweez Swing Teams; and the Fallon City Ballet.

The performers and their high school partners this year include the following:

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Daniel Anderson and Skylar Jones; Rear Admiral Andy Lewis and Emma Joyner; Dr. Raymond Ryan and Chelsea Gatlin; Churchill County Fire Marshall Mitch Young and Erin Paranuk; Oasis Academy secretary Julie Evans and Haydn Klein; Dr. Lana Narag and Ethan Overlie; Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Natalie Parrish and Louie Mori; and Northside teacher Jenny Young and Thomas Robertson.

Today, the LVN looks at the final four dancers (based on their DWTS biographies) beginning with this year’s husband and wife duo of Mitch and Jenny Young.

A native of Fallon, Mitch Young considers himself a self-made man based on his early childhood experiences of kicking the can, cutting grass or selling cans for money. His hobbies cover a wide spectrum of activities from golfing and skiing to firefighting, a natural for the county’s fire marshal.

Until he met his wife, Jenny, Mitch Young said his biggest influence was his mother, who taught him the Emily Post way of doing things and conducting himself. Consequently, he is representing the fire department in the competition.

So what inspired Mitch Young to be a dancer this year?

“I don’t know if you would call it inspiration or straight up competition but if Jenny was willing to take it on then I would be right behind her to support, inspire, promote, console and eventually defeat her,” he said.

Mitch Young’s prediction? The Fallon native said he will win the competition.

Meanwhile, Jenny Young was raised in Big Sky country and attended the University of Montana at Missoula. During the summer she spent most of her time at Flathead Lake, but she also lists other hobbies such as skiing, creating jewelry, hanging out with family and friends and drinking green smoothies.

“The greatest influence in my life has to be the creator of Pinterest,” she said. “I love spending time seeing other things that people make so I can be inspired to direct my husband to make them.”

Jenny Young, who is representing Northside Early Learning Center, said her experience was dancing her way into her husband’s heart on the night they met.

Jenny Young said her students are her inspiration to dance well.

“My little kindergartners clap and cheer when I read a book. Maybe I could read instead of dance? I’m that good,” she added.

Ryan, who is representing Banner Churchill Community Hospital, stepped in at the last minute.

Ryan attended high school in San Jose and medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., the city that thrives because of Warren Buffet’s watchful eye.

During his younger years, Ryan achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and he lists dancing, skiing, sailing, playing the piano, choral singing and taking photographs as his main hobbies.

A social dancer for 30 years, Ryan said his inspiration comes from being asked to substitute for another person who had to withdraw at the last minute.

Rounding out the contestants is Fallon native Parrish, the Chamber of Commerce executive director.

After growing up in Fallon, she headed to the Los Angeles area for five years of school, took a break and then stayed in Ventura for three years.

Parrish said she enjoys being outside for camping, hiking, biking, shooting and anything fun and active.

“I love to cook, and yes, I love to eat my vegetables! There’s nothing better than enjoying a Nevada sunset with good wine, great food and amazing family and friends,” she said.

Parrish said her biggest influences in her life are my parents and her daughter. Her parents showed her through example what it is to live life with integrity, compassion and unconditional love and as a mom, she considers herself a better person than she was alone.

Parrish said her dancing skills haven’t been practiced in a few years … or what she infers more than few. She has an incredible passion for dance and watching th4 youth have the opportunity to develop the discipline and passion of dance.

And what could be Parrish’s advantage?

“I happen to be a master in heels,”she said. “Whether I’m picking them out, purchasing them, walking through a field or on the dance floor, I find power in three inches.”