LOVING WORDS FROM OUR ALUMNI
Step-sister
"Step-sister refers to an awesome group of women who are connected at the heart through dance and life experiences hence the word step is referring to dance, the word sister's is a term that connects them at the heart and through their amazing bond they have as women, mothers, sisters, friends and family that no other can understand or break that heart warming and amazing stretched have because they have each other!"
-Unknown
"When I was dancing we didn’t just dance, we had so much fun. We traveled to different places. We had props such as wooden horses, violins, hall trees, etc. At parade time we got off the trailer and danced in the street (our mom loved that). We danced at Oak park for the crowds. I even went to NYC twice with the Campbells. Such great memories"!
Jo Bulmer
"I have so many wonderful memories dancing with the Dancing Deputies, from the practices to the parades and then the saloon (the armory in the early days). I remember when the Frontier Days committee did not see our purpose and was reluctant to have us perform. But, Wilma was persistent and we proved what a positive addition to Frontier Days we could be. It was a huge commitment and a lot of hard work but it was so worth it. The bond between us and the sisterhood that formed was truly a blessing. I have a zillion great memories that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Wilma really has no idea what her love and mentorship meant to me".
Julie McNamara
"I was very privileged to have served as a Dancing Deputy for a number of years. In fact, my years with these wonderfully talented ladies will forever live in my heart as some of the most special times in my life. I enjoyed my time with them during recitals, showboat performances, trips to Las Vegas, lessons and rehearsals at the studio, and of course Frontier Days! I not only danced with all of these great ladies but established never ending relationships not just as friends but as "step sisters", and I love them all dearly. Thank you Wilma, Lori and Mary Jo for so many precious memories".
Modesta Whitworth
"Being a "Dancing Deputy" was a very unique and wonderful experience. My love for dance gave me so many memories, connections, and experiences. The most precious connections were that it gave us all life long friendships. Out of these connections came the phrase "step-sisters". All of the girls that have ever danced are my "step-sisters" without a doubt. Other great experiences has lent itself to traveling to other cities in Michigan to dance for entertainment or to dance for competitions in Las Vegas. Being a "Deputy" was great for discipline and exercise. I loved being part of our respected communities festivities by being a "Dancing Deputy". I will be forever grateful to Wilma, Lori and Mary Jo Campbell for letting me be part of such an incredible and wonderful experience!!!"
Sheryl Webb Towe
"I started dancing at Campbell Dance Studio at the age of four. My mom, sister danced there for years, as well. My mom, Sheryl Towe was a "Dancing Deputy" when I was young. I would go with my mom to the studio and enjoyed watching the dance, smile and laugh until they cried. Sitting there as a little girl, loving dance so much, I cherish those memories! I remember wishing I could be a "Dancing Deputy" one day, and was actually fortunate enough to become one. I have always had a love for dance and I am so happy that I was able to dance all of those years at Campbell Dance Studio".
Kim (Towe) Morris
"There are so many memories I don't know where to start. I guess from that first phone call from Wilma in the late 70's asking if I'd be interested in dancing again. Little did we know it would evolve into the "Dancing Deputies" of today. Wilma had us dancing anywhere that would let us. Hay Days in Care, MI stands out as a funny memory. I remember after our last dance some guy literally picked Connie Burgess up saying he was going to take her home. We laughed until we cried. Learning to play the spoons wasn't easy and we had blisters on our fingers from practicing so much, hence the tape and bandaids on the spoons, wouldn't trade it for anything. The spoons are a "Deputy" trademark. I had so much fun as a "Deputy" and made many life long friends. I feel very blessed to have been one of the originals".
Jeanne Fernsler
"I showed up to "dance" but what I got out of it was so much more...
I started dancing when I was two years old and dance quickly became my passion. I continued dancing all through my school age years and even into college, but I had gotten to a point in my life that I thought my dancing career was coming to an end. The invitation to join the "Dancing Deputies" couldn't have come at a better time. I spent the next 7 years sharing laughter and sometimes tears, important milestones in my life and making memories that I will never forget. This group of women are so much more than just "dancers", it is a sisterhood, and I am proud to call each and every one of them my "step-sister"".
Melissa Foster
