Stars light up the Medford stage
A high-energy performance from Carrin Kath and Brenden Buryska sent them tumbling across the Medford High auditorium stage and drew high marks from the judges. Though they started the competition as friends, they announced after that they are dating. Staff photo by Joni Hubred
Nine Steele County couples danced their way across the Medford High School stage on Saturday, raising a record amount of money for a nonprofit that supports seniors and their caregivers.
The 11th annual Dancing with the Steele County Stars took in $53,817.04, more than twice last year’s total. Top fundraisers were Buzz and Laura Brady, $7,471; Jason and Kelli Alstead, $10,285.01; and Tim and Jody Hugley, $12,876.77.
Along with fundraising honors, contestants vied for an audience choice award and an overall award, representing the total number of points awarded from judges, the audience, and fundraising.
The overall award went to the Hugleys, with Carrin Kath and Brenden Buryska in second place and the Bradys finishing third.
Kath and Buryska received the audience choice award–perhaps because they promised to reveal the status of their relationship if they won the vote.
The two entered the competition as friends; both work in the wellness field and graduated a year apart from Owatonna High School. They shared some “sneak peek” videos of their DWTSCS preparation and over time, some folks got… well… curious.
After the competition, the couple revealed in a live social media post that they are, indeed, dating.
Kath said during a practice, coach April Dahl commented that their kids would have great hair and asked if they were dating. Kath said they were just friends, but after practice, Buryska asked her out.
They agreed to stay friends, though, until after the competition.