Crystal Gaddy
Crystal Gaddy, born and raised in Fayetteville, NC, is an assistant professor at Pfeiffer University, teaching within their Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program. She has been a licensed occupational therapist for 19 years, serving many from hospital to community settings, with passion and majority of service committed to families and children with special needs. Since moving to this side of the state 3 years ago with her family, husband (Marek) and three children (Maison, Maliyah, & Christian), Crystal has enjoyed serving the Stanly County community, along with students and colleagues, and educating future occupational therapy practitioners in the areas of pediatrics and mental health. In her free time, Crystal enjoys playing games, dancing, and singing and loves experiencing the creativity of others!
Paula Graham
Paula Graham was born and raised in Poznan, Poland. While in Poland Paula studied foreign linguistics, specializing in German, English and Russian. She later moved to Finland where she studied the Finnish language and culture. She came to America in 2006 and fell in love with North Carolina. Since her arrival, she earned a two-year degree from CPCC, and then transferred to Queens University for a four-year degree in psychology, and then to Winston Salem State University for a masters in occupational therapy. She currently teaches occupational therapy at Pfeiffer University and is two months away from graduating with her doctorate.
Paula and her husband Hubert left Charlotte for Oakboro a year ago and have enjoyed making new friends in Stanly County. They enjoy the country life with their three dogs and frequent visits from their grandchildren. In her free time Paula loves to knit and participate in Stanly community life.
Savanna Rankin
Savanna Rankin was born and raised in the southern end of Stanly County. She graduated from South Stanly High School and continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Savanna is the HR and Administrative Manager at Juneberry Ridge in Norwood. She is married to Kellen, and they have four boys—Trendan (9), Crowder (6), Sully (3), and Yates (2). Yes, the upmost definition of a boy mom! Her children keep her busy at the ballfield, but when time permits, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and watching football (Go Broncos!). Savanna and her family attend Memorial Baptist Church.
David Weiss
David has spent his career in hospitality working around the country and is happy to have found his home at Juneberry ridge. He is passionate about wine, spirits, and all things culinary, from butchery to baking. When not devoting his time to food, foraging or farming, he enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his best friend and 9 year old daughter, Emma.
Johnna Cole
Johnna Cole, a 2004 graduate of Albemarle High School, who went on to become a dental assistant graduating from the Dental Academy of Charlotte. Johnna has 3 children. Two boys and a daughter. Jaden (14) , Jameson (8) and Olivia (4) Jaden and Jameson love the game of baseball and Olivia, who is the youngest Stanly County track athlete. Johnna is an active member of Vortex Church in Albemarle, where she serves in the children’s ministry. When time permits, Johnna enjoys working out, dancing, and making people laugh through videos, dancing or just being silly. Johnna’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28 which she believes this verse keeps her positive and faith strong in God, day to day.
David Coble
David Coble was born and raised in Stanly County where he graduated from Albemarle High School in 1998. After high school David began his career in the Heavy Highway Industry constructing roadways and other infrastructure. He is employed with NJR Group Inc as an Asphalt Operations Manager. David and his wife Erica have two children Olivia 16, and Camden 14. When there is down time away from work David enjoys hanging out with family and friends. David is looking forward to being a part of Dancing with the Stars and raising money for the Butterfly House.
Christy Tietgens
Christy Tietgens, mom to Piper (21), lives in Norwood and has been in Stanly County for 11 years. A real estate agent at Lake Tillery Properties, she absolutely loves her job. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, watching live music and volunteering in the community. Christy has a passion for dance that began when she was only four years old, and she has been either a teacher or a student ever since! She is absolutely honored to be raising money for the Butterfly House.
Joshua Morton III
Joshua is a Stanly County native who went to Endy Elementary and West Stanly High School. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as an Aviation Electronics Technician. Afterwards he completed his degree at UNCC and has lived and worked in Raleigh, NC the past 11 years. Joshua has since moved back to Stanly County where he works with Uwharrie Bank out of the Locust branch. He has a 7 year old daughter named Scarlett whom he loves to spend time with and take trips with. He loves to bass fish, ride his Harley, and serve his local church.
Pamela Roberson
Pamela Roberson was born and raised in Guilford County. Pamela graduated from Alamance Community College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. Pamela has been in Law Enforcement for 13 and half years and with Albemarle Police Department for a year and half. Pamela enjoys helping out the Stanly County School System as a School Resource Officer (SRO) at the elementary and high schools, when not patrolling the community. Pamela in her free time, enjoys hanging out with her family and friends and making crafts.
Kyle Ziebarth
Kyle Ziebarth was born and raised in Stanly County. He attended South Stanly High School and then headed to Boone, NC to attend Appalachian State University. While at Appalachian State, Kyle became a police officer and worked for the Appalachian State Police Department as a part time officer. Kyle recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Kyle currently works for the Albemarle Police Department as a police officer. In his downtime, Kyle likes to cook for others, fish on Lake Tillery, and write songs with his guitar.
Alex Escoto
Alex Escoto is the Director of Nursing at Atrium Health Stanly. He feels privileged to lead the greatest team in the area, with the goal of taking care of patients with quality, safety, and service. He is here to support the Butterfly House on its journey to create a better world. Born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, Alex is new to North Carolina and the Uwharrie region. He truly believes that dancers are made not born, and he has been working hard to make himself into a dancer…as the spirit of music is a part of us all. He looks forward to Dancing this year in DWTS 2023.
Jennifer Rummage
Jennifer Rummage went to South Stanly High School and pursued her registered nursing degree at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. She works as a charge nurse on the Med-Surg/Telemetry unit at Atrium Stanly. She has a son, Cohen, who just turned 14 years old. She considers him her greatest blessing. Jenn is getting married this May to Brandon, the love of her life. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with family, and being at the ocean as much as possible! On her Sundays off, she attends Elevation Church. Having supported Stanly Health Foundation for the past few years , she is excited and honored to participate in an event such as Dancing with the Stars to help support The Butterfly House. Jenn loves helping others and is beyond grateful for this opportunity!
Kelly Earley
Kelly Earley was born in Glendale Arizona, but moved to Stanly County at a very young age and has lived here since. She spent her childhood years playing basketball, volleyball, tennis, and softball. She continued playing softball and tennis through her high school years at West Stanly, where she graduated in 2014. Post high school, she found her love for dentistry and orthodontics. For 6 years, she has worked in a dental office - currently she works at Chad Johnson Orthodontics in Harrisburg, NC. In her spare time, she enjoys loving on her fur child, Matilda Jane; roaming the aisles of TJ Maxx and Target; reading a good book, or spending time with her best friends. She enjoys the beach and mountains and is the social butterfly in every room she enters. Kelly is a member of team ‘Highly Koala-fied’ with her partner, Mike Hatley. Kelly is so excited to be a part of this year’s Stanly County Dancing with The Stars. The Butterfly House holds a special place in Kelly’s heart, and she is honored to be a part of this year’s excitement!
Mike Hatley
Mike Hatley is a lifelong resident of the Aquadale community in southern Stanly County and graduated from South Stanly High School before attending Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Mike has been married for 24 years to his lovely wife, Jill, and they have two daughters, Peyton and Kolby, along with their dog, Jeter, and grand pup, Maverick. Mike works in management at Westrock Coffee (formerly S&D Coffee) in Concord. Mike is one half of team 'Highly Koala-fied" with Kelly Earley, who he considers his 3rd daughter and is the one who talked him into this adventure. In his spare time, Mike enjoys watching sports with Maverick, going to pro wrestling events, and taking vacations with his family. He has spent the last few months trying to learn to dance and would like to thank Laura for her hard work in trying to get him stage ready!
Candice Jordan
Candice Jordan is the newlywed wife to Jay Jordan (owner of Lilly’s Bridge Marina) a Mt. Gilead native. They married in Candice’s hometown of Charleston, South Carolina in March of this year! Candice gained 2 stepchildren (Aleena & Jack) and together she and her husband have 6 fur babies that keep her extremely busy. You can usually find Candice cooking up a storm in her kitchen, spending time with her animals, hanging out on the water or if you’re lucky, behind the bar at Lilly’s Bridge Marina. The Jordans have been long time supporters of the Butterfly House and she is honored to carry on the tradition this year!
Mitchell Whitesell
Mitchell is a technical sales manager for a German machine parts manufacturer. He is originally from Carthage, NC. He is a graduate of East Carolina University. He has been married to his wife, Linda, for 28 years. They have lived in Troy, NC for 23 years. They have two sons, Owen and Ben who, though now grown, continue to be a blessing to them.
Laughing with friends and family is still how Mitchell prefers to spend his downtime.
Chad Drye
Chad Drye is a Stanly County native and West Stanly High School graduate. Chad and his wife, Tammy, have both been in law enforcement for thirteen years. Chad is currently employed at the Wingate Police Department as the Assistant Chief. Chad and Tammy have two wonderful children, Connor and Riley. When not working or spending time with family, Chad enjoys playing guitar, hunting and fishing, and making miscellaneous leather projects. Chad has worked with The Butterfly House through his role as an investigator, and he is very appreciative of their assistance in getting justice for child victims. Chad is grateful for the opportunity to give back to The Butterfly House through Dancing With the Stars.
Maddie Medlin
Madeline is a 29-year-old Stanly County native, creative mind, photographer, and life-long entertainer. This is Madeline's first year participating in The Dancing with the Stars Butterfly House Fundraiser, and she is thankful to have an opportunity to help raise money for a cause that is very close to her heart. Madeline is no stranger to the Agri-Civic Center stage however, as she has performed in countless Uwharrie Players productions throughout the years. Madeline would like to thank Dr. Laura Harbeson (owner of Creative Counseling & Learning Solutions), for inviting her to participate in this wonderful event. Most of all, Madeline sends her love to everyone who donated their time, money, and creativity to support this charitable affair, and hopes you all have "Nothin' but A Good Time" tonight!
Chris Kunkel
Chris Kunkel is owner/operator, and brew master of the Brew Room Locust. Born and raised in Charlotte NC, he moved to Stanly County with his fiancé, two dogs, and two cats in 2022 to further pursue his dream of bringing his home brews to the big scale.
Music runs in Chris' blood, and he can play many instruments. In his free time, Chris loves to escape for a bit in video games, joyride on his motorcycle, grill out, and simply enjoy life with my beautiful family.
Christen Kaufman
Christen was born in Mint Hill, NC but spent most of her life growing up in Stanfield. She graduated from West Stanly High School in 2002. She is a homeschooling mom of three kids, Kade 12, Karsten 10 and Kourtlynn 8. She works part-time at the Brew Room as a bartender. In her free-time she enjoys playing sports, (except golf) riding dirt bikes, lifting weights and eating!! She’s a HUGE Dallas Cowboys football fan and one day she’d love to live at the beach.
Jarrod Dennis
Dr. Dennis, a native of Stanly County, attended West Stanly High School and grew up in the Oakboro community. He began his career in education as a teacher at Forest Hills High School. After serving in Iraq, Dr. Dennis returned to the classroom and eventually found his way to school administration. He served as assistant principal for Northern High School in Durham, and as a principal for Orange Charter School (now Eno River Academy), and principal for Person High School. In 2015, Dr. Dennis became the Assistant Superintendent of Person County Schools and was promoted to Deputy Superintendent in 2017. He is currently Superintendent of Stanly County Schools since 2020. He has three children: Amelia, Ava, and Lucas with his wife of 14 years, Susan Glenn Dennis.
Susan Dennis
Susan Glenn Dennis is a native of Durham, NC, and a graduate of East Carolina University with a master’s degree in business education. She was a high school business and marketing teacher for Durham Public Schools until becoming a preschool teacher at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Timberlake, NC. She is currently a preschool teacher at Friendship Central Child Development in Albemarle. Her husband is Dr. Jarrod Dennis, Superintendent of Stanly County Schools, and has three children: Amelia, Ava, and Lucas.
Emily Harrison
Emily Huneycutt Harrison grew up in Stanly County and is currently raising her 3 amazing children, Miya(20), Malakhi (14) and Silas (9) in Albemarle. She is a 3rd grade teacher at East Albemarle Elementary and was named Teacher of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year. She has been in the public school system for 20 years. Emily is very active in the community and has a passion for serving children. She has served on the Albemarle Youth League Board. She has also sponsored students from East Albemarle Elementary in Student Council activities and coached the annual Mini Medley event as well as her children’s various sports teams throughout the years.
During her downtime, she enjoys sunsets, traveling, music and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Emily chose to dance this season when asked because the Butterfly House is very near and dear to her heart and serves some of the same children she serves. She is stoked to be a part of such an amazing experience! Emily is looking forward to raising money for the Butterfly House and making a difference in the lives of more children.
Travis Price
Travis Price grew up in Greensboro and is currently living in Monroe, North Carolina. He works in construction as a Site Superintendent for Wood Partners. Outside of work, Travis can be found at the gym, golf course, or out spending quality time with friends, family, and his dog, Ricky. Previously, Travis has spent time volunteering with The Butterfly House by standing barrels at local rodeos. After spending time helping from the sidelines, Travis decided it was time for him to take his participation to the next level. He is very excited for the opportunity to learn some dance moves all the while supporting the great cause that is, The Butterfly House.
Shayla Lowry
Shayla Lowry graduated from UNCC and currently owns and manages Flow Yoga Studio in Locust, NC, where she shares her love for yoga and helping others. Shayla loves spending time with family and friends and traveling to new places!
Tyler Lowry
Tyler Lowry graduated from South Stanly High School and Appalachian State University. He works remotely as a digital marketing and web manager. In his spare time, he enjoys life on the farm he shares with his beautiful wife, Shayla.