Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina, Elena Smirnova from Sundance Ballroom Perform at Dancing for the Space Coast

By  //  June 5, 2022

SPACE COAST DAILY TV SPECIAL PRESENTATION

ABOVE VIDEO: City of Palm Bay Mayor, Elena Smirnova from Sundance Ballroom perform at Dancing for the Space Coast.

WATCH REPLAY: 2022 ‘Dancing For the Space Coast’ Charity Fundraiser Event Raises Over $400,000 For Local Charities.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County’s signature fundraising annual event “Dancing For the Space Coast” was presented Saturday night at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center to an enthusiastic who’s-who sold-out crowd of more than 800 people.

For those who couldn’t get a ticket or attend the event, Space Coast Daily live-streamed all the exciting action live On-Demand via the Space Coast Daily TV App. The Space Coast Daily TV app is available for download in the Apple TV App StoreAmazon Fire TV Store and Roku TV Channel Store.

Over the last 10 years, “Dancing for the Space Coast” has become the largest charity event in Brevard County and the 2022 edition raised more than $400,000, which will benefit the House of Hope, Promise in Brevard, the Veterans Memorial Center and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Charity.

Mayor Rob Medina has been a resident of Palm Bay for more than 33 years.

Originally from New York, New York, Mayor Medina chose to settle in Palm Bay after proudly serving with the United States Marine Corps.

A servant leader through God, honor, and integrity, Mayor Medina pledges to build public trust with the community by presiding over an open and accessible government in service to the citizens of the great city of Palm Bay.

Medina holds a Master of Arts Degree in Theology, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Life Christian University. He serves as the Director of Ministry at the House Family Ministries Church in Palm Bay.

Mayor Medina is happily married to his wife Lissette. He is a father of six children and the grandfather of ten. As a Palm Bay resident, Medina has long been an active supporter of the community serving as a youth mentor, as well as a football and baseball coach.

In 2019, Rob Medina was honored with his second Congressional Medal of Recognition for his longstanding service to the veteran community. In addition to his roles with the City of Palm Bay and the House Family Ministries, Medina serves as the Director of Community and Military Relations for United States Congressman Bill Posey.

In addition to his roles with the City of Palm Bay and the House Family Ministries, Medina serves as the Director of Community and Military Relations for United States Congressman Bill Posey.

Through his work, Medina has played an integral role in obtaining official recognition and awards such as the Congressional Gold Medal (U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment), the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal for local veterans who displayed notable heroic or meritorious achievement of service during their time in the Armed Forces.

In 2019, Medina was honored with his second Congressional Medal of Recognition for his longstanding service to the veteran community.

Mayor Medina also served as an Aide to former Brevard County Commissioner Jackie Colon from 2000 until 2008. While working with the Commissioner, he built a strong foundation in local governance and developed a deep understanding of the issues that have the greatest impact on the economic success and quality of life of the residents of Palm Bay.

Using his strong ties in our community and the experience gained from years of public service, Mayor Medina will work hard to build a brighter tomorrow for the people of Palm Bay.

The Grand Champion of this year’s event was Melbourne City Councilman and Viera High School ROTC Senior Army Instructor Col. Tim Thomas and his instructor Heidi Arnold from Dancin’ Dance Studio in Indialantic. Thomas, a highly decorated retired U.S. Army officer, wowed the crowd with his patriotic-themed dance routine. Above, with Thomas and Arnold are Dancing for the Space Coast Director Lindsey Deaton, left, and event emcee Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy John Martinez.

Tim Thomas Wins With Patriotic-Themed Dance Routine

The Grand Champion of this year’s event was Melbourne City Councilman and Viera High School ROTC Senior Army Instructor Col. Tim Thomas and his instructor Heidi Arnold from Dancin’ Dance Studio in Indialantic. Thomas, a highly decorated retired U.S. Army officer, wowed the crowd with his patriotic-themed dance routine.

Dancer Ashley Buescher of Promise in Brevard and instructor Barry Johnson of Melbourne Ballroom placed second. The team of Danielle Masucci, a Realtor for Blue Marlin, and instructor Primo Garcia placed third.

This highly entertaining event also showcased the outstanding efforts of dancers Zachary Biddulph, Lenora Caines, Barbara Furtney, Mindy Gibson, Rob Medina and Jayvo Scott.

Leading up to the event, the local celebrities dancing in the event helped raise money months prior to the event, while preparing for their complex dance routine in front of a massive crowd.

The charity event was hosted by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and emceed by Sheriff Wayne Ivey who helped facilitate a live auction and live dance performances by dance professionals and local celebrities who competed to raise money for Brevard County non-profit organizations.

“The true stars of the event are the dancers who work diligently to raise money for these worthy causes,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

AND THE WINNER IS…Dancer Ashley Buescher of Promise in Brevard and instructor Barry Johnson of Melbourne Ballroom, far left, placed second. The team of Danielle Masucci, a Realtor for Blue Marlin, and instructor Primo Garcia placed third, far right. The Grand Champion of this year’s event was Melbourne City Councilman and Viera High School ROTC Senior Army Instructor Col. Tim Thomas and his instructor Heidi Arnold from Dancin’ Dance Studio in Indialantic.

Bragging Rights on the Line

Each celebrity dancer was matched up with a professional dancer as they competed in a ballroom dance – and for bragging rights as the best dancer in Brevard.

On the evening of the competition, each dance pair competed in a choreographed ballroom dance that will be scored by a panel of judges. During the show, couples earned scores based on several technical skill factors, but the judges’ scores alone don’t decide the dancer’s final score.

Leading up to the actual performance, the dancers already scored 60 percent of their points through their fundraising endeavors to benefit needy charities.

Dancing For the Space Coast is presented by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and sponsored by L3Harris and Space Coast Daily and Florida Tech.

Brevard County’s signature fundraising annual event “Dancing For the Space Coast” was presented Saturday night at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center to an enthusiastic who’s-who sold-out crowd of more than 800 people.This highly entertaining, don’t-miss event will showcase featured dancers Zachary Biddulph, Ashley Buesher, Lenora Caines, Barbara Furtney, Mindy Gibson, Danielle Masucci, Rob Medina, Jayvo Scott and Tim Thomas.