Dancing With the Stars: Eva and Grant
“Dancing with the Stars — Calhoun” is back again for its third consecutive season with a new cast of dancers — 22 local high school students — and they are excited to give the audience another fun-filled, high-energy show on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at the Calhoun Performing Arts Center. Showtimes for both performances are at 7 p.m..
Eleven dance teams will compete for trophies, college scholarships, and bragging rights in the third annual event, sponsored once again by The Fountains — Calhoun.
“We have some fun surprises in store for this year’s event,” said Andy Baxter, speaking on behalf of the event organizing team. “But as always, the dancers will be the stars of the show.” The eleven couples competing this year are Luca Baxter and Walker Roe, Ava Shelton and Jaden Perkins, Briana Kirby and Landon Chattam, Ella Strickland and Jack Dean, Belinda Counsell and Trent Ferguson, Maggy Abernathy and Kam Penny, Emily Nebb and Jacob McBrayer, Karson Bone and Wyatt Fuller, Eva Hall and Grant Garnett, Danika Morton and Aaron Reyes, and Lannah Stewart and Jaxon Moore.
Tickets can be purchased online by visiting dwtscalhoun.ludus.com. For more information about becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets to the event, call Andy at 678-878-6366, or at support@dwtscalhoun. com by email.
Eva Hall and Grant Garnett will compete this year as Couple No. 9.
Eva, a Sophomore at Calhoun High School, is the daughter of Adam and Nickee Mauldin and Jacques Hall. She has three sisters, Maelie, Brooklyn, and Ria. Grant is a Freshman at Calhoun High School; he is the son of Adam & Christina Giorgione and Josh & Kesha Garnett. Grant has eight siblings, Kayleigh, Presley, and Grier Garnett. His other siblings are Wil and Ella Giorgione, and Zach, AJ, and Trent Hensley.
Eva is currently in all honors classes with all A’s in her courses. She is currently playing Varsity Calhoun Soccer and she cheered on Varsity/Competition cheer and GameDay Cheer all the way up to her sophomore year of high school. Eva has participated in “Shop with a Stinger” the last two years and enjoys taking part in it. She enjoys art and has an artistic ability and very creative mind and ideas.
Grant is a very active student. He is a member of the Calhoun High School Yellow Jacket football team and plays wide receiver and defensive back, Calhoun High School Track team where he specializes in the high jump, and Calhoun High School Performing Arts where he plays many roles in the productions. He is very a driven and passionate kid.
Both Eva and Grant are competing in the show for the first time, while Eva has had some formal dance training in the past, Grant has some experience from his time in theater. Recently we got a chance to talk to both about this experience.
Q & A WITH COUPLE NO. 9
How did the two of you decide to enter Dancing with the Stars — Calhoun?
“I love dancing and have enjoyed watching all the shows from the past few years and I wanted to be a part of it.” -Eva
“The shows always look like fun. I wanted to participate to give back to the community and the scholarship opportunities it provides.” -Grant
Tell us about your dance for this year’s competition?
“I wanted to use Nelly Furtado because of her strong work ethic and her expression in her music. Ever since last year I’ve
wanted to use a specific song from the album ‘Loose.’ I am very excited to perform to this song, I hope everyone else loves it as much as I do.” -Eva
“I love that it’s fast paced. Our choreographer, Kat Cochran, has made it challenging but it’s fun.” -Grant
What are you most nervous about for the show?
“More nervous for all the people watching me perform on stage. I want it to be a dance to remember.” -Eva
“Seeing all the competition and how good every couple is. Also, my sponsors, I’m nervous because I do not want to let them down.” — Grant
Since the theme is Country this year, what is your favorite country song?
“‘Lady May’ by Tyler Childers.” — Eva
“‘The Painter’ by Cody Johnson.” -Grant
What are you plans
after High School?
“To go to college to be a pediatric oncologist nurse or to work with children with disabilities.” -Eva
“To go to college to major in business. My plan is business development, marketing, and have considered real estate.” — Grant
What have you enjoyed the most from this experience?
“Getting to know the people I didn’t know before and learning new things about them. I am almost the most excited to be able to do this and spend time with cousin, Luca Baxter, this is her senior year, and I’m excited to be able to perform together with her.” — Eva
“Just the overall experience, learning new things, meeting everyone and getting closer with everyone in the group. The practices together have been so fun, and we laugh so much, it’s been such a fun experience.” -Grant