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2026
ARLINGTON STARS
BANE PEREZ dancing for ADVOCATES FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE
I am a 23-year-old self-advocate with Down syndrome who was born and raised in Arlington, Texas. I am a 2022 graduate of Martin High School and a 2025 graduate of Arlington ISD’s 18 PLUSS program.
I participate in Special Olympics sports at the local and state levels and have played Miracle League baseball for 18 years. I had the opportunity to perform in the United Performing Arts Company’s Nutcracker performances in 2025. Through sports and the arts, I have gained confidence, lasting friendships, and a strong appreciation for teamwork and inclusion.
I am also deeply connected to Advocates for Special People, Inc., where I have built meaningful friendships and taken part in activities that have helped me grow, become more independent, and become more involved in my community. The organization’s mission to support adults with intellectual disabilities and their families through programs for socialization, recreation, and habilitation is especially important to me.
I am passionate about inclusion and advocacy, and I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life. I hope to help create a community where individuals with intellectual disabilities can thrive, reach their full potential, and give back.
I participate in Special Olympics sports at the local and state levels and have played Miracle League baseball for 18 years. I had the opportunity to perform in the United Performing Arts Company’s Nutcracker performances in 2025. Through sports and the arts, I have gained confidence, lasting friendships, and a strong appreciation for teamwork and inclusion.
I am also deeply connected to Advocates for Special People, Inc., where I have built meaningful friendships and taken part in activities that have helped me grow, become more independent, and become more involved in my community. The organization’s mission to support adults with intellectual disabilities and their families through programs for socialization, recreation, and habilitation is especially important to me.
I am passionate about inclusion and advocacy, and I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life. I hope to help create a community where individuals with intellectual disabilities can thrive, reach their full potential, and give back.
BRITTNEY GARCIA-DUMAS dancing for MISSION ARLINGTON
Brittney Garcia-Dumas is a proud Arlingtonian, entrepreneur, and dedicated community advocate. As the founder of BGD Digital Marketing, a strategic marketing consultancy, and The Arlington Shop, a neighborhood retail space celebrating local pride, she has built her career around lifting up people through business. Named to Latino Leaders Magazine’s National 100 Latinas List and featured on “Business Unusual” with business mogul Barbara Corcoran, her impact has been recognized nationally and internationally. An inaugural Arlington Top 40 Under 40 honoree, she serves on the Executive Board of Downtown Arlington, has chaired the Latino Business Group for the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and sits on the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau Board. A speaker and founder of the #HustleHappy movement, Brittney leads with heart and a deep love for the American Dream City she calls home. In 2026, she brings that same commitment and passion to putting residents first in her candidacy for Arlington City Council District 5.
CAMERON HADDAD dancing for RIVER LEGACY FOUNDATION
HOLLY POTTER-HARVEY dancing for THE AWARE FOUNDATION
Holly is a dynamic woman, balancing the roles of devoted wife, mother of four, Diet Coke connoisseur and community activist with grace and humor. As a proud Red Raider, she's deeply rooted in her community. Her passion for civic engagement is infectious, leading her to actively participate in organizations like PTA, ACOPTA, and AWARE.
Beyond her volunteer work, Holly's organizational skills shine as a full-time corporate meeting event guru at 360 Destination Group. She's the mastermind behind countless events, ensuring every detail is pushing the envelope and perfect.
When she's not juggling family, work, and community commitments, Holly embraces her inner dancer. She's excited to take the stage to raise funds for the best city in the world and support various charitable causes.
I am taking a leap of faith and hitting the dance floor to support the AWARE Foundation. This incredible organization rewards exceptional teachers in the Arlington Independent School District, ensuring our community's future is bright. As we all know, educators are the backbone of our society, and I am committed to honoring their invaluable contributions. Join in cheering me on as I dance my way to a better future for our students!
Beyond her volunteer work, Holly's organizational skills shine as a full-time corporate meeting event guru at 360 Destination Group. She's the mastermind behind countless events, ensuring every detail is pushing the envelope and perfect.
When she's not juggling family, work, and community commitments, Holly embraces her inner dancer. She's excited to take the stage to raise funds for the best city in the world and support various charitable causes.
I am taking a leap of faith and hitting the dance floor to support the AWARE Foundation. This incredible organization rewards exceptional teachers in the Arlington Independent School District, ensuring our community's future is bright. As we all know, educators are the backbone of our society, and I am committed to honoring their invaluable contributions. Join in cheering me on as I dance my way to a better future for our students!
KRISTY KUNDYSEK dancing for MIRACLE LEAGUE OF ARLINGTON
Kristy Mooney Kundysek is a lifelong Arlington resident and proud graduate of Arlington ISD. She grew up dancing at her mom’s studio, LPRC here in Arlington and later earned her degree in Physical Education from Texas Tech University, where she cheered for the Red Raiders.
Kristy and her husband, Mark, co-own NexCourt, a leading sport court company serving North Texas and Oklahoma, helping create spaces that bring families and communities together through play.
A devoted mom of two, Kristy has been deeply involved in Arlington schools and local nonprofits, earning a PTA Lifetime Award and supporting organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and Women in Philanthropy.
Now, she’s bringing her energy and love of movement to the dance floor in support of Miracle League of Arlington, helping bring the joy of baseball to Children with Disabilities.
Kristy and her husband, Mark, co-own NexCourt, a leading sport court company serving North Texas and Oklahoma, helping create spaces that bring families and communities together through play.
A devoted mom of two, Kristy has been deeply involved in Arlington schools and local nonprofits, earning a PTA Lifetime Award and supporting organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and Women in Philanthropy.
Now, she’s bringing her energy and love of movement to the dance floor in support of Miracle League of Arlington, helping bring the joy of baseball to Children with Disabilities.
LARRY MIKE AND SARAH MCMURROUGH dancing for AISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Larry Mike:
Larry Mike, elected to the Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees in May 2024 with a term expiring in May 2027, is a distinguished family law attorney and co-owner of Premier Drug & DNA Testing Services, LLC, where he provides reliable, court-admissible testing solutions for families, workplaces, and legal professionals. Additionally, he serves as a board member for Alliance For Children, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting abused and neglected youth, reflecting his commitment to justice and child advocacy.
A former Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Mr. Mike served in the United States Air Force from 1996 to 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Bellevue University in 2007 and his Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law) in 2011. Married to Yesha Patel, a distinguished attorney and Partner at Thompson Coe in Dallas, Mr. Mike combines professional excellence with a mission-driven approach to community service.
Sarah McMurrough:
Sarah serves as Vice President of the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees and works as a districtwide literacy coach in Mansfield ISD. A graduate of Bowie High School in Arlington ISD, she returned home after college to dedicate her career to public education. Mrs. McMurrough holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Texas State University. She taught fourth grade in Arlington ISD for 12 years and was recognized as Teacher of the Year at Lynn Hale Elementary, a Districtwide AWARE Award (2nd–4th Grade) winner, and Arlington Optimist Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. McMurrough is married to Dr. Chris McMurrough, and together they are raising two amazing sons, Danny and Henry. She is an active volunteer in the Arlington community, serving as a Sunday school teacher at Westminster Presbyterian Church and as a PTA member at J.B. Little Elementary. She also serves as grant committee chair for the Theta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society of key women educators, reflecting her continued commitment to supporting the children and educators of our community.
Larry Mike, elected to the Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees in May 2024 with a term expiring in May 2027, is a distinguished family law attorney and co-owner of Premier Drug & DNA Testing Services, LLC, where he provides reliable, court-admissible testing solutions for families, workplaces, and legal professionals. Additionally, he serves as a board member for Alliance For Children, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting abused and neglected youth, reflecting his commitment to justice and child advocacy.
A former Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Mr. Mike served in the United States Air Force from 1996 to 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Bellevue University in 2007 and his Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law) in 2011. Married to Yesha Patel, a distinguished attorney and Partner at Thompson Coe in Dallas, Mr. Mike combines professional excellence with a mission-driven approach to community service.
Sarah McMurrough:
Sarah serves as Vice President of the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees and works as a districtwide literacy coach in Mansfield ISD. A graduate of Bowie High School in Arlington ISD, she returned home after college to dedicate her career to public education. Mrs. McMurrough holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Texas State University. She taught fourth grade in Arlington ISD for 12 years and was recognized as Teacher of the Year at Lynn Hale Elementary, a Districtwide AWARE Award (2nd–4th Grade) winner, and Arlington Optimist Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. McMurrough is married to Dr. Chris McMurrough, and together they are raising two amazing sons, Danny and Henry. She is an active volunteer in the Arlington community, serving as a Sunday school teacher at Westminster Presbyterian Church and as a PTA member at J.B. Little Elementary. She also serves as grant committee chair for the Theta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society of key women educators, reflecting her continued commitment to supporting the children and educators of our community.
LAUREN KERSCHEN dancing for OPEN ARMS HEALTH CLINIC
Lauren Kerschen is the founder and team leader of DFW’s Finest Real Estate Group, a top-performing real estate team in one of the fastest-growing markets in Texas.
A graduate of TCU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Supply Chain Management, she also holds a Six Sigma Black Belt, Commitment to Excellence certification, and a Texas real estate license, bringing a rare blend of business strategy, operations, and on-the-ground experience to every deal. She was named an Apple News Top 10 Most Trusted Real Estate Agent in Texas, recognized in Arlington’s 40 Under 40, honored with the Arlington Board of Realtors Pacesetter Award two years in a row, and featured among Real Producers Top 250, underscoring her reputation for consistent performance and integrity.
Her work and insights have been featured in Apple News, CEO Magazine, and Arlington Today, and she is a frequent guest on industry stages and podcasts including The Texas Real Estate and Finance Podcast, DFW Top Producers Panel, The Arlington Board of Realtors Power Panel, The Greater Than Real Estate Podcast, and The All Agent Access Podcast. She also serves as Vice President of her local Master Networks chapter, a choir cantor and Pastoral Council member at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and on the St. Joseph Catholic School Home and School Association Board, reflecting her commitment to building strong local relationships and giving back to the community.
Through DFW’s Finest Real Estate Group, she helps driven DFW agents escape feast-or-famine months by plugging them into a clear plan, daily structure, and shared opportunities to build a stable, sustainable real estate career. Her versatility, seeing the big picture, connecting the dots, and tailoring strategies to each agent’s season of life, allows her to turn unpredictability into stability for both clients and the agents she mentors.
A graduate of TCU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Supply Chain Management, she also holds a Six Sigma Black Belt, Commitment to Excellence certification, and a Texas real estate license, bringing a rare blend of business strategy, operations, and on-the-ground experience to every deal. She was named an Apple News Top 10 Most Trusted Real Estate Agent in Texas, recognized in Arlington’s 40 Under 40, honored with the Arlington Board of Realtors Pacesetter Award two years in a row, and featured among Real Producers Top 250, underscoring her reputation for consistent performance and integrity.
Her work and insights have been featured in Apple News, CEO Magazine, and Arlington Today, and she is a frequent guest on industry stages and podcasts including The Texas Real Estate and Finance Podcast, DFW Top Producers Panel, The Arlington Board of Realtors Power Panel, The Greater Than Real Estate Podcast, and The All Agent Access Podcast. She also serves as Vice President of her local Master Networks chapter, a choir cantor and Pastoral Council member at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and on the St. Joseph Catholic School Home and School Association Board, reflecting her commitment to building strong local relationships and giving back to the community.
Through DFW’s Finest Real Estate Group, she helps driven DFW agents escape feast-or-famine months by plugging them into a clear plan, daily structure, and shared opportunities to build a stable, sustainable real estate career. Her versatility, seeing the big picture, connecting the dots, and tailoring strategies to each agent’s season of life, allows her to turn unpredictability into stability for both clients and the agents she mentors.
MOODY ALEXANDER dancing for ARLINGTON URBAN MINISTRIES
Dr. Moody Alexander joined Drs Alexander Orthodontics in 1995, partnering with his father Dr Wick Alexander who began the practice in Arlington in 1964. “Dr Moody” has helped create over 30,000 beautiful smiles, treating generations of Arlington families!
He graduated from Arlington High School and went on to start his dental journey at Texas Tech University. After college graduation, he joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, an interdenominational Chrisitan ministry. He served with Campus Crusade for three years at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill prior to starting dental school at the Baylor College of Dentistry.
Moody and his wife Emily are proud parents of seven children and now 3 grandchildren (all within 18 months!). They treasure the Arlington community and love raising their family in such a great place. They both love pouring into their kid’s activities, their church – Gospel City Church and other community organizations like Pantego Christian Academy, Dental Health for Arlington and Alliance for Children. Dr. Moody and Emily are also the leaders of Ethiopia Smile – a ministry devoted to caring for the dental needs of the underserved in Ethiopia.
Dr. Moody was recently awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award by the American Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Moody, along with his daughter, Avery Alexander Hett, are proud to be dancing to support Arlington Urban Ministries, an Arlington non-profit that provides financial assistance for utilities, rent and food for those in crisis in Arlington.
He graduated from Arlington High School and went on to start his dental journey at Texas Tech University. After college graduation, he joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, an interdenominational Chrisitan ministry. He served with Campus Crusade for three years at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill prior to starting dental school at the Baylor College of Dentistry.
Moody and his wife Emily are proud parents of seven children and now 3 grandchildren (all within 18 months!). They treasure the Arlington community and love raising their family in such a great place. They both love pouring into their kid’s activities, their church – Gospel City Church and other community organizations like Pantego Christian Academy, Dental Health for Arlington and Alliance for Children. Dr. Moody and Emily are also the leaders of Ethiopia Smile – a ministry devoted to caring for the dental needs of the underserved in Ethiopia.
Dr. Moody was recently awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award by the American Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Moody, along with his daughter, Avery Alexander Hett, are proud to be dancing to support Arlington Urban Ministries, an Arlington non-profit that provides financial assistance for utilities, rent and food for those in crisis in Arlington.
PAIGE PAYNE-NEAL dancing for ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN
I’m Paige Payne-Neal, a proud wife and mother to grown boys, and I’m excited to be a part of Dancing with the Stars. I have the privilege of serving as the Chief Operating Officer at The Welch Law Firm while also working in marketing at Arlington Today. My career has always been driven by a deep commitment to community service, which is reflected in my involvement as a board member for the Alliance for Children. I’m honored to represent this incredible organization at Dancing with the Stars and to highlight the immense impact they have on our community.
As a proud member of St. Peter St. Paul, I believe in giving back and supporting those in need. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Northwood University, which has equipped me with the skills to make a meaningful difference. My journey is fueled by a servant's heart, and I strive to inspire others while continuing to serve our community in every way I can.
As a proud member of St. Peter St. Paul, I believe in giving back and supporting those in need. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Northwood University, which has equipped me with the skills to make a meaningful difference. My journey is fueled by a servant's heart, and I strive to inspire others while continuing to serve our community in every way I can.
RAUL H. GONZALEZ dancing for DENTAL HEALTH ARLINGTON
Hello Arlington! I am blessed to be a public servant. While serving on the Arlington City Council and the Mansfield ISD Board, I have enjoyed dancing. I kicked off my “Happy Friday” dances, where I kicked off the school year by dancing with teachers.
I have lived in Arlington since 1980 and met my wife, Kerry, while she was under my supervision at Arlington Stadium. Now she is my boss, and we will celebrate 40 years of marriage in June. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 44, just months after my dad passed away from the same disease and have been cancer-free for almost 20 years. This challenging time brought our family closer and inspired me to volunteer and support local charities. I was given a second life.
I enjoy speaking to students about life lessons, including job choices, managing money, and handling stress. I have had many mentors, and mentoring others is very important to me.
I’m dancing for Dental Health Arlington. I have had the privilege of working with Dental Health Arlington over the years, most notably at the AISD back to school kickoff, where they give free dental screenings.
I have lived in Arlington since 1980 and met my wife, Kerry, while she was under my supervision at Arlington Stadium. Now she is my boss, and we will celebrate 40 years of marriage in June. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 44, just months after my dad passed away from the same disease and have been cancer-free for almost 20 years. This challenging time brought our family closer and inspired me to volunteer and support local charities. I was given a second life.
I enjoy speaking to students about life lessons, including job choices, managing money, and handling stress. I have had many mentors, and mentoring others is very important to me.
I’m dancing for Dental Health Arlington. I have had the privilege of working with Dental Health Arlington over the years, most notably at the AISD back to school kickoff, where they give free dental screenings.
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