Derek Hough, Chelsie Hightower to Appear at Lakeland College, Sheboygan Symphony Fundraiser, 5/18

The region's premier social event just added two big doses of style, elegance and star power.

Derek Hough and Chelsie Hightower, two of the biggest talents on the popular ABC television series "Dancing With the Stars," will participate in the sixth annual Movers & Shakers Gala at Lakeland College.

Hightower and Hough will be part of an unforgettable evening that will see eight Sheboygan County "celebrities" show off their best dance moves to raise money for local charities and nonprofit organizations as part of the Movers & Shakers Gala, a benefit for Lakeland College and The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, as Lakeland's Todd Wehr Center will once again be transformed into a beautiful ballroom, including an inviting dance floor, a massive lighting setup and huge video screens to provide Hough, Hightower and a who's who of Sheboygan County a lush stage to showcase their best moves.

In its first five years, Movers & Shakers has raised nearly $1.4 million, including a four-year total of $263,500 for more than 30 nonprofit organizations.

Major sponsors of this year's Gala are the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation and Sargento Foods Inc. Additional event sponsors include Festival Foods, Masters Gallery Foods, Inc., Sheboygan Chevrolet-Cadillac and Zimmermann Printing.

Movers & Shakers is pleased to welcome back eight previous dancers for an all-star night of entertainment. Again this year, each dancer has selected a charity which will benefit from their votes sales.

The 2013 lineup includes:

• Lisa Brotz, who comes in hot off her meticulous 2012 tap medley. She is employed by Plastics Engineering Co., and also owns and operates Northstar Farm. Votes for Brotz will also benefit Lakeshore Community Health Center. Brotz is sponsored by Plastics Engineering Company.

• Paula Gentine, a member of the St. John the Baptist Church and a community volunteer, won the 2010 Movers & Shakers title with her hot and spicy version of the salsa. Votes for Gentine will also benefit Sharon S. Richardson Hospice. Gentine is sponsored by Sargento Foods Inc.

• Suzie Herold, medical director of executive wellness for Prevea, who won the Judges' Choice Award in 2011 for her knockout performance of the samba. Votes for Herold will also benefit Safe Harbor. Herold is sponsored by Prevea Health.

• Zukie Hirota, who is involved in management at Lakeland College's Japan campus, riveted the audience in 2010 with her unique performance of the Latin showcase dance "Fragrance of Japan." Votes for Hirota will also benefit Lakeland College Japan campus. Hirota is sponsored by Lakeland College Japan campus and NIC International College in Japan.

• Nellie Schmitt, a popular local entertainer who danced the rumba in the first Gala in 2008. Votes for Schmitt will also benefit Meals on Wheels. Schmitt is sponsored by Loretta Schmitt, Jos. Schmitt & Sons Construction Co., Inc. and friends.

• Wally Waldhart, vice president of sales and communications at ACUITY, an active community volunteer and the first winner of the Judges' Choice Award in 2010 for his memorable performance of the American tango. Votes for Waldhart will also benefit Theatre for Young Audiences. Waldhart is sponsored by ACUITY.

• Deborah Wente, the chair of the Movers & Shakers organizing committee and an active community businessperson and volunteer, returns after her graceful performance of the fox trot in 2010. Votes for Wente will also benefit PSC, Partners Seeking a Cure. Wente is sponsored by the Grover Family Foundation, Inc.

• Ed Zieve, an octogenarian and CEO of Kees Inc., of Elkhart Lake, got a standing ovation for his 2011 performance of the jitterbug. Votes for Zieve will also benefit the Elkhart Lake Library. Zieve is sponsored by the Zieve Family Foundation.

Complete biographies of each dancer are available on the Movers & Shakers website, http://moversandshakersgala.org.