CROWLEY – Through collaboration, the Crowley Christian Care Center, the Community Outreach Corporation and the Rotary Club of Crowley, a special event has been set up in Crowley in May.

The Grand Opera House of the South will be the scene of “Dancing with the Stars, in a Caring Way” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4.

The combined fundraising effort is set to help provide for the needs of the area.

Though not exclusively mutual, these organizations fit together like the pieces of a beautiful puzzle. Together they invite you to join them in “a caring way” as they present their very own version of “Dancing with the Stars,” which promises to be both fun and helpful.

The charity fundraising gala is being co-chaired by Emily Stoma and Mary Zaunbrecher. Brenda Core of The Core Dance Studio is the chairwoman of the choreography team that has also generously donated their time and talent.

Troy Breaux will act as financial chairman while Becky Lamm and Paul Broussard serve as the silent auction co-chairpersons.

The inaugural event will feature 11 couples, the “Stars of Acadiana.” Each week a new couple will be introduced to the public.

Dancing with the Stars is proud to announce the eighth couple and their choreographer selected to participate in this year’s gala.

Mark Hensgens: Hensgens is a 1979 graduate of Notre Dame High School and has a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from LSU. He is the youngest son of Ray and Kitty Hensgens.

Hensgens’ dedication community and the state of Louisiana led him to a rewarding career of service. He is the former co-owner of Passport Travel, personal assistant to U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, confidential assistant to former Agricultural Commissioner Bob Odom and director of scenic byways to former Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu.

Hensgens returned home to be close to family and work for Quality Equipment, a family-owned company. He has a life-long commitment to family, community, Catholic education and sports.

Karen Hetzel-Ambrose: She is married to Joshua.

Hetzel-Ambrose is a 1998 graduate of Notre Dame, she attended LSU Eunice and UL Lafayette and is a graduate of LGMC School of Radiology as a Radiologic Technologist. She furthered her education and, in December 2004, she graduated from the Florida Institute of Ultrasound as a sonographer.

Hetzel-Ambrose returned to Crowley and opened her one business, “Baby Faces” Hetzel’s Ultrasound LLC.

Her hobbies are exercising, dancing and playing kickball with the Acadiana Sports League in Lafayette. While growing up in Crowley, she was a dance student at Core Dance Center for 10 years, a kickboxing instructor at Healthworks Gym and a karate student at Gossen Karate.

The choreographer for Hensgens and Hetzel-Ambrose is Brenda Core.

Core is a graduate of LSU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance. She is the owner/artistic director of Core Dance Center of Crowley.

Core has performed with the LSU Dance Theater and Ballet Ensemble, Moving South Company and the USL Repertory Dance Concert. She served as director of the children’s ensemble for the Moscow Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker.”

She has worked as a choreographer for numerous theatrical productions including the Acadia Players productions of “Godspell” and “Cinderella,” Notre Dame High School’s production of “Annie,” Burin Martin’s Southeastern Theatrical Company musicals and St. Michael Elementary School’s annual Faith Rally.

Core was recognized as the Outstanding Citizen in her vocation and was a recipient of the Rotary Club of Crowley’s Vocational Service Award.

For more information, you can contact Stoma or Zaunbrecher.