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By KAYLEEN REUSSER
“Put the dogs on the floor.”
Such a phrase may sound ambiguous, but to Kenneth Ellenberger and his daughter, Angel, the phrase means one thing only – it’s time to dance.
Kenneth and Angel have been “putting the dogs on the floor,” a sequence of words they coined, since January 2008 when they decided to participate in the first Special Olympics Ballroom Dancing Competition. Angel, who has Down’s syndrome, will dance the rumba and waltz with Kenneth in the Special Olympics section of the USA Dance Fort Wayne Dancesport Championships on Saturday, July 5, at 9 a.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne.
There is no cost to participants or spectators of the Special Olympics division of the competition.
Kenneth first heard about the competition in January through a customer in his auctioneering and real estate business. According to Competition Organizer Vivian Hans, each of the 26 dancing couples has one individual with a disability paired with a unified sports dance partner. “Kenneth and Angel Ellenberger are the only father-daughter group in the group,” she said.
Hans says the ballroom competition was organized as a joint effort by the Fort Wayne-area Special Olympics, USA Dance, and Easter Seals ARC. “They came together for this event and we’re hoping this pilot program will promote the event nationally,” says Hans.
According to Kenneth, the rules for the competition specify the participants must have at least 10 lessons by a licensed instructor. “We’ve taken more than 20 lessons at Renaissance Dance Studio from Dave Cowdrey, an instructor of 35 years with experience teaching American and International dance styles,” he says.
Kenneth says Angel, who is employed at Bi-County Services, had already danced before taking lessons during special events at Bi-County. Kenneth, on the other hand, had never danced. “I never thought I could learn the waltz, but now I like it the best,” he says. “It is a classical ballroom dance and it’s easy to learn.”
Kenneth says Angel enjoys the dancing competition also. “Our family has always enjoyed watching shows like Dancing with the Stars and American Idol,” he said. “Angel and I try to figure out who will be the winners.”
Hans agrees that “Dancing with the Stars” has prompted much interest among participants. “Our dancers are excited because they want to be like Fred Astaire and the dancers on TV. They never thought they could do something like this, but now that they have the opportunity, they have taken off.”
Hans is also encouraged about the unique opportunities offered by the Special Olympics event. “After people reach a certain age, there are not many Special Olympics events they can be involved in, but they can dance forever,” says Hans.
Special tokens will be awarded for Gold, Silver, Bronze place winners, although Hans says everyone who participates in the USA Dance-sanctioned amateur ballroom dance competition will be given an award by USA-dance certified judges.
After this competition, Hans plans to go to different parts of Indiana and outside of the state to start similar programs. “This year the pilot program in Fort Wayne will be a model to emulate.”
Kenneth feels a responsibility in his role in the event. “We’re representing Wells County in a program that we think will gain national attention,” he says. “Once people get over the stigma of thinking they can’t do something, they’re surprised at the talent they discover within themselves.”
Kenneth and his wife, Jill, have three other children: DeAnna Pursai who lives in San Jose, Doug Ellenberger, and Jessica Ellenberger.
In a related matter, Pursai, an educator in San Jose, CA, is beginning a new program based on the influence of her sister, Angel. Angels on Stage, named for Angel Ellenberger, is a theatre troupe of children with differing abilities. Pursai will direct its first program in fall 2008.
As for Kenneth and Angel, he thinks the two of them will continue dancing after the competition. “We’re having a ball.”
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If you go: First Annual USA Dance Fort Wayne Dancesport Championships ; USA Dance-sanctioned amateur ballroom dance competition; Saturday, July 5 - Sunday, July 6, 2008 ; Special Olympics Ballroom Dance Event Saturday, July 5 - 8:05 a.m. - 11a .m.
Do you have a story to tell or know someone who does? kjreusser@adamswells.com
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