WATCH: Army Veteran Steve Phelps Prepares To Dance at 4th Annual ‘Dancing for the Space Coast’ June 2

By  //  May 26, 2018

awarded Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Jump Star for operations in Panama and First Gulf War

ABOVE VIDEO: With less than a week remaining, Steve Phelps is preparing for the 2018 “Dancing for the Space Coast” and fine-tuning is final dance routines ahead of Brevard County’s biggest charity event, set for Saturday, June 2 at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center.  The program for this year’s event starts at 6:30 p.m.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA –With less than a week remaining, Steve Phelps is preparing for the 2018 “Dancing for the Space Coast” and fine-tuning is final dance routine ahead of Brevard County’s biggest charity event, set for Saturday, June 2 at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center.

Having grown up in Rockledge, Phelps attended St Mary’s and Rockledge High School and earned an appointment to West Point where he graduated in 1983. Known for his deep belief in service to others, he dedicated his life to the service of God, country, community and family.

Because of this focus, joining the 2018 team for Dancing for the Space Coast was a perfect fit.

For his dance number, Phelps chose the 1940s swing tune, “In the Mood,” by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, a dance tune enjoyed by many during the big band era and still today. He dedicates the dance and evening to God’s Amazing Grace, his wife Debbie, his sons Vincent and Gregory, their families, and to the memory of his dad who loved this tune.

As an officer in the United States Army, Phelps served in the “Big Red One” and the 82nd Airborne Division as an airborne ranger. During his service, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Combat Jump Star for operations in Panama and the First Gulf War.

With less than a week remaining, Steve Phelps is preparing for the 2018 “Dancing for the Space Coast” and fine-tuning is final dance routine ahead of Brevard County’s biggest charity event, set for Saturday, June 2 at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center.

Upon leaving the military, Phelps and his family moved back to Brevard County where he began work at the Kennedy Space Center with McDonnell Douglas.

In 1994, he joined Edward Jones Investments as a financial advisor and opened the firm’s first office in Rockledge. In June 2000, he was named a regional leader responsible for the 50 plus financial advisors in the east central Florida area and served in that position for 13 years. In 2004, he was named a general partner of the firm, and a subordinated limited partner in 2014.

Past and current community service includes chairman for the Wuesthoff Hospital Health Systems; chairman for the Salvation Army Advisory Board; vice-chairman of the 4-H Foundation; board member for the City of Rockledge General Pension Board and the Brevard County Finance Committee; elder for Georgianna United Methodist Church; member of the Brevard County Civilian/Military Council; Military Officers Association of America, Cape Canaveral Chapter; Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce; and the Florida Fly Rod Club.

Phelps is most proud of his wife Debbie whom he married at West Pont in 1984, and she has been a source of strength and encouragement ever since. She also is an avid accomplished cyclist. The couple have two sons, Vincent and Gregory.

Upon his departure from the Marine Corps, Vincent graduated from the University of Florida with an Ag Degree and is now owner and operator of Phelps Family Cattle. He is married to Megan and the couple have two children, Brian and Ashlyn.

Upon graduating from the University of Central Florida, Gregory joined his dad as an advisor with Edward Jones. Steve’s life verse is Psalm 139: 23-24.

Steve Phelps’ Instructor: Heidi Arnold

Tyler Sirois and his partner Heidi Arnold perform in front of a sold-out crowd at the third annual Dancing For the Space Coast (Colin Ziemer, Space Coast Daily Image)

Heidi has been teaching dance for the past 16 years and is the proud owner of Dancin’ Dance. She first started dancing at the age of 3 when her parents enrolled her in lessons and she has been dancing ever since.

Heidi loves being able to pass on her passion and knowledge of dancing to others. She was a star on her school’s award-winning dance team.

She began instructing Ballroom dance at the age of 16. She has trained extensively across the country including West Palm Beach, Orlando, and New York.

When she started teaching at a local studio, Heidi quickly became the lead advanced instructor. Heidi is one half of the 2012 Dancing with Brevard Grand Champion team. Heidi and her partners have won the last three years of the Dancing with the Space Coast competition.

Last year, more than 700 attendees gathered at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center for the third annual Dancing for the Space Coast. Over $250,000 was raised for local nonprofit organizations.

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ABOVE MAP: Florida Tech’s Clemente Center is located at 3011 Panther Place, Melbourne, FL 32901.

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