Talent Illuminated our 2nd Annual Gala
Our 2nd annual gala, “A Touch of Broadway, Act 2,” wowed the crowd with songs and dances from Broadway luminaries, including the Gershwin brothers, Irving Berlin, and Lin-Manual Miranda. Tap dancers from the Highland School of Dance kicked off the live event on Oct. 20, 2022, and Lakeland Mayor William Mutz introduced the acts. Former Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Karyn Tomczak and Kelly Croteau rocked the audience with their talent, and Theatre Winter Haven Academy performed an act from Disney’s Moana Jr. A budding musical theatre major, Madalyn Macko, lit up the stage at the Junior League Building in Lakeland, with her rendition of Shall We Dance. Singers Ashleigh Christian-Massey and Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman performed the BKF Foundation’s theme song, Dancing in the Tune, accompanied by Josh Dampier, violinist. Many thanks to our sponsors, silent auction contributors, and volunteers!
Dancers left to right: Mae Sharrett, Teagan Youngblood, Kailey Rutledge, Chloe Lantham, Cambry Stafford, Logan Patton, Caitlin Kaiser, and Lilly Stewart.
A special thanks to our Sponsors for making our 2nd Annual Betsye Kay Finch Gala a huge success!
Opening Night Level
Ann & Ward Edwards
Ansley & Greg Masters
Rockette Level
The Carol and Barney Barnett Family
Foundation Fund within the GiveWell
Community Foundation
Scott & Denese Langston
The Brant Martin Family
Debbie, Ansley, Dennis, Hunter & Greg
Donna Bebber
Choreographer Level
Hollis & Debbie Hooks
Candi Packett
Debbie & Jay Dominick
Doris & Bill Ellsworth
The Kay Girls
Ed & Charlotte Kay
Kay Annis Wilson
Denise K. Crenshaw
Chantele Aldridge
Melissa, Gavin, & Alex Finch
Anonymous
Thomas Hall & Ken Jewett
And many thanks to our Cast Level Sponsors who were highlighted in our event program.
Dancers Wow the Crowd at Our First Annual Fundraiser
Dancers and singers rocked the crowd at our first annual gala, “A Touch of Broadway,” on October 28, 2021. Lakeland Mayor William Mutz kicked off the live event held at the Junior League of Lakeland. Dancers from the Highland School of Dance, along with former Radio City Music Hall Rockette Karyn Tomczak of New York City, electrified the crowd with the Rockette’s famous high kicks to a Broadway tune. Local singers Ashleigh Christian-Massey and Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman performed the Foundation’s theme song, Dancing in the Tune, in an audience sing-along. Renfroe-Borneman, a former student of Betsye Kay Finch, has performed professionally in New York City and beyond. Many thanks to our sponsors, audience and volunteers for making this a success.
Karyn Tomczak, a former Radio City Rockette (center), performs with Highland School of Dance students, from left, Lilly Stewart, Kailey Rutledge, Logan Patton, Chloe Lanham, Alexis Jordan, and Teagan Youngblood at the Betsye Kay Finch gala fundraiser at the Junior League building in Lakeland.
A special thanks to our Sponsors for making our 1st Annual Betsye Kay Finch Gala a success!
Opening Night Level
Ann & Ward Edwards
Ansley & Greg Masters
Rockette Level
The Carol and Barney Barnett Family
Foundation Fund within the GiveWell
Community Foundation
The Maguires of Lakeland
S&D Real Estate Services
Choreographer Level
The Belotto Sisters: Chere' Belotto Campbell, Leah Bellotto Lauderdale,
Chris Belloto
Brant & Debbie Martin
Debbie Young Dominick
Michelle & Wogie Badcock
Merris, Ellery & Rainey
Thomas Hall & Ken Jewett
Chantele Aldridge
Doris & Bill Ellsworth
Nancy & Bob Fisher
Regal Automotive Group
Past recipients discuss how the BKF Scholarship has supported them!
We’re proud of our first two scholarship winners, Abby Rogers (2020) and Rachael Gomez (2021)! Watch them discuss how the BKF scholarship has supported them at their respective universities, Drake and Belmont University. They let their talents shine performing our theme song, “Dancing in the Tune,” composed and performed by Rebecca Renfroe-Borneman.