Performers, judges, and members of Hope's Home in Prince Albert. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Great Cause

P.A. deputy police chief wins Swinging with the Stars, $160K raised for Hope’s Home

Mar 20, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Prince Albert’s deputy police chief proved to the community she’s as multi-talented as they come.

Farica Prince and her partner Modeste McKenzie were named this year’s winners of Swinging with the Stars, an annual dance competition aimed at raising money for Hope’s Home in Prince Albert.

The childcare centre, which helps children with complex needs, ended up getting over $160,000.

“Just being able to contribute to Hope’s Home in a positive way was really the drive here,” said Prince. “(Winning) was just a cherry on top.”

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Along with their dance moves, contestants were judged on their outfits. Prince and McKenzie wowed the judges and crowd with theirs which were made by the deputy police chief herself.

“I knew right away that whatever we were going to do we were going to reflect Hope’s Home’s intention and purpose and also Indigenize,” Prince said. “Making sure that we look Indigenous and presenting that way… that’s really important to me.”

Farica Prince (left), Modeste McKenzie (middle), and Mickey MacGillivray (right), the provincial fundraiser manager for Hope’s Home. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Prince explained she got the call to participate in late December. Even though she noted she was quite nervous, she knew she couldn’t say no.

McKenzie joked that for somebody who was quite scared to get on the stage, she ended up nailing the performance.

“She might have been a little bit nervous coming into it, but I think it melted away once we hit the stage and the music was on.”

The competition featured eight teams with many joking they were quite nervous.

Charitee Lehner, Bold Dance Production, with Nicholas Volaris, manager of Lake Country Co-op. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Craig Guidinger, the Director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Prince Albert, with Bethany Leachman, Prince Albert Dance Company. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Rachel Bremner with Ryan Wicks, owner of Wicks Detailing. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Kim Schick, owner of Bold Dance Studio, with Trevor Redden, former voice of the Prince Albert Raiders. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

•Dr. Breann Kozun, pediatrician with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and Mackenna Litzenberger, Emergency Medical Responder with Parkland Ambulance. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Mother and daughter duo Wilna and Tia Furstenburg. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Teigan Uhlik, owner of Teiganilanaphoto, and Heather Mackie, Ballet ‘n’ All That Jazz, with help from Desiree Hesson. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Meanwhile, Mickey MacGillivray, the provincial fundraiser manager for Hope’s Home, told paNOW the event couldn’t have turned out any better.

She said it seemed like the crowd had just as much fun as the dancers.

“The crowd was amazing; they were into that event all night long,” added MacGillivray. “The feedback has also been unbelievable.”

Members of the crowd at 2023 Swinging with the Stars. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Hope’s Home has no plans on stopping the event with many dancers stating they look forward to taking part in next year’s event.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow