SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Presents “Dancing with the Emerald Coast Stars” Benefitting Local Education in Walton County
SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL – [March 3, 2026] – SEASIDE SCHOOL™ is bringing glamour, community spirit, and high-energy entertainment to the Emerald Coast with the launch of its newest signature fundraising event, Dancing with the Emerald Coast Stars, presented in partnership with Fred Astaire Dance Studios Fort Walton Beach, on May 2, 2026, at 6 PM, at Hotel Effie Sandestin.
Inspired by the hit television show Dancing with the Stars, the inaugural event will pair four well-known local leaders with professional dancers for a ballroom-style competition, all vying for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. The evening promises an unforgettable experience filled with celebration, connection, and a little friendly rivalry, all in support of local education in Walton County.
The 2026 Emerald Coast Stars include Dr. Lindsey Hoppe, leading cosmetic dentist along the Emerald Coast at 30A Smiles; Whitney Cooley, Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty agent and star of the reality series Southern Sand; Bobby Wagner, Mayor of Destin, Florida; and Drew Ward, Principal of Seacoast Collegiate High School.
Each star will be paired with a professional dancer from Fred Astaire Dance Studios Fort Walton Beach. Pairings include:
Dr. Lindsey Hoppe with Rico Dias Garcia
Whitney Cooley with Oleksandr Sorokopud
Mayor Bobby Wagner with wife Bekah Wagner taught by Adina Kairbekova
Drew Ward with Sofiya Glotova
The evening will begin with a lively cocktail hour and champagne toast, followed by a delectable plated dinner in the elegant Hotel Effie Sandestin ballroom. Guests will then enjoy the main event dance competition, an awards ceremony, and an exclusive VIP after party.
A distinguished panel of judges will determine the winners, including Catherine Limekiller, teacher at Seacoast Collegiate High School; Lisa Burwell, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of VIE Magazine; Rhea Goff, Vice President for The St. Joe Company; and Brad Goode, Lead Pastor at Good News Church in Santa Rosa Beach.
In true ballroom fashion, the audience plays a role in the outcome. Supporters attending the event, as well as fans cheering from home, may cast votes for their favorite dancer for $10 per vote, adding an interactive and philanthropic element to the competition.
Individual tickets are $350, and Couples’ Tickets are available for $500. Tickets and sponsorships are now on sale at SeasideSchools.net. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Callie Cox at coxc@seasideschools.net.
All proceeds from Dancing with the Emerald Coast Stars will directly benefit the Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Project, a transformative initiative expanding educational access and opportunity in Walton County.
The expansion project includes three state-of-the-art facilities: Seacoast Collegiate High School, the Dual Enrollment Center, and The Accelerator. The newly constructed SCHS building is already serving students with a cutting-edge STEM lab, two custom-designed science labs, a dedicated College and Career Center, and 15 classrooms, made possible by generous community support. The Dual Enrollment Center, developed in partnership with Northwest Florida State College, is the first of its kind in South Walton and allows juniors and seniors to complete college coursework locally, tripling prior enrollment capacity and creating space for more than 450 additional students. Looking ahead, Phase 2 will introduce The Accelerator, a dynamic hub featuring a Great Hall, café, collaborative meeting spaces, and an e-sports lab, designed to foster innovation, connection, and growth for both students and the broader community.
“This event represents more than a night of entertainment. It represents opportunity,” said Callie Cox, Director of Advancement & Donor Relations for SEASIDE SCHOOL™. “Because of the generosity of this community, we’ve already opened doors for hundreds of students through these new facilities. Dancing with the Emerald Coast Stars allows us to continue building momentum and expanding access to exceptional, innovative education right here in Walton County.”
“As a business owner and community member along 30A, I’ve seen firsthand how strong schools shape strong communities,” said Dr. Lindsey Hoppe. “The expansion of Seacoast Collegiate High School is creating life-changing opportunities for students across Walton County. I’m honored to step outside of my comfort zone and onto the dance floor to support a mission that invests directly in the future of our children and our community.”
For more information about SEASIDE SCHOOL™ and the Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Project, visit SeasideSchools.net.
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About THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™
Founded in 1996, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful public charter schools, serving students in grades 5-12 through SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ and Seacoast Collegiate High School with a mission to prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond through a responsive, challenging, and equitable education model tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. Recognized as a top-performing school in Florida, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ has been an “A” school for 21+ consecutive years, ranking in the top 1% of public schools statewide in math and science. Students at THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ benefit from a tuition-free education valued at over $275,000, complete with up to 60 college credits, robust extracurricular opportunities, and a mission-driven focus on leadership, community service, and personal growth. For more information, visit SeasideSchools.net.
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