By Bella Caggiano 

It’s the middle of April, and most New Englanders are looking forward to spring and eventual longer days and warmer temperatures. For Norwood residents, however, music and dancing are in the air when it comes time to perform in Dancing with the Norwood Stars!  The Norwood Circle of Hope Foundation and OneLocal Bank are presenting this popular yearly fundraiser on Friday, April 12, 7 p.m., at the Four Points Sheraton.

Each year, six residents take to the dance floor to take home the coveted Disco Ball Trophy. This year’s dancers are: Dave Dalton, Emma Petracca, Meg Luizzo King, Nina Kelley, Sam White, and Sean Connelly. Two winners will be crowned this special evening: an Overall Winner for the person who raises the most money and the Judges Choice for the best single dance. For the past few months, the dancers have been holding fundraisers around town to raise donations for their team to win as the Overall Winner. They have also spent hours practicing with professional dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, in Norwood to win that coveted Judge’s Choice Award! 

Attending fundraisers would be amazing!” COH volunteer Christiana Rose said. “All these contestants put so much time and energy into their fundraising efforts!  Would be great to have the support!” 

Meet the 2024 Dancing with the Norwood Stars contestants!

Tickets unfortunately are already sold out, but viewing and voting are still available at multiple locations and devices. The event will be broadcasted live through Norwood Community Media (NCM) at satellite locations where people can cast their vote for their favorite dancer, or on Norwood’s local programming station. The satellite locations are: Olde Colonial Cafe, Nahatan St.; Colonial House, Savin Ave.; Lewis,’ Central St; and Café Venice, Washington St. Check for your local station at norwoodcommunitymedia.org to view through your cable company. 

Previous Dancing with the Stars Champions: 2009 - Missy Sansone; 2010 - Carolyn Riccardi; 2011 - Jack Perry; 2012 - Jeanne Babel; 2013 - Tommy McCready; 2014 - Susan Bunker; 2015 - John Rogers; 2016 - Jay White; 2017 - Christine Kiklas; 2018 - Alex Brown; 2019 - Michelle Sheehan; 2022 - Tracey Curran; 2023 - Abigail Tierney.

Dave Dalton 

Dave, aka ‘Daltz’ was born and raised in Norwood. He was the vice president of his graduating Class of 2003 at Norwood High School. Dave is married to Alyssa Gearty-Dalton, also a true townie and graduate of Norwood High School Class of 2000. They live in Norwood, of course, with their two children Ella and Jackson and their beloved dog Delaney. Dave has coached baseball in everything, from Little League up to high school varsity over the last 23 years. He helps with his son’s hockey team for the Norwood Nuggets and coaches his son’s baseball team for Norwood Little League. This year, Dave was the field supervisor for Norwood Youth Football and Cheer. He is a very proud Dad. If he is not coaching, you will always find him on the sidelines supporting his kids, from floor hockey, baseball, hockey, football, softball, and cheerleading. Dave has worked at Lewis’ for the last 15 years and continues to be a familiar face behind the bar. He is now also employed at the Norwood Recreation Department which he worked for several years previously during high school. Dave also works with his father, Bob Dalton Jr., NHS Class of 77, for Robert Dalton Garage Doors, a 3rd generation business that was started by his late grandfather, Bob Dalton Sr., NHS Class of 1957. He is honored to have been nominated to take part in Dancing with the Norwood Stars. Dave is dancing to support the Norwood Circle of Hope and all their hard work and dedication to continue the support of the people of Norwood that are in need.

Emma Petracca

I have grown up in Norwood most of my life, and have seen firsthand how the community here comes together for one another in times of pain and need. I am excited to have the opportunity to give back in some way, and that we can do so through something as unifying as dance. I wish everyone luck, and I hope we can all make the Circle of Hope proud.

Meg Luizzo King

When asked to be a contestant with the 2024 Norwood Dancing with the Stars, my initial reaction was no. I have two left feet and no rhythm. After contemplating briefly, I realized it’s not the dancing that’s so important, it’s giving back and fundraising for The Circle of Hope Foundation. They truly are an outstanding foundation that gives back to Norwood residents in need anonymously. Congratulations to The Circle of Hope Foundation for celebrating their 26th year!

I was born in Boston and adopted at six months to an amazing family who lived in Norwood. I am a Norwoodian who attended the John P. Oldham School, Norwood High School, and the Henry O’Peabody Secretarial Program. I received my Associates Degree from Newbury College.

After working in Boston for 20 years, I realized I wanted to work in a more personally fulfilling job. I decided I could give back to our community by helping autistic children as a paraprofessional. I love being a teacher’s assistant! It is the most rewarding and challenging job that I’ve ever had. I am so looking forward to my son Michael and his wife Ally having their first baby girl. I cannot wait to meet my granddaughter! My passions include walking anywhere, exercising, dining out, meeting friends, reading, and relaxing at the beach. I also love to shop, play rummy with my husband, who I swear cheats at cards, and loving life to the fullest. I would also add that I met my husband Eddie King, at Jack Tolman’s Dancing with the Stars benefit fundraiser in 2012, at the Old Colonial Cafe and got married at the Norwood gazebo – a true Norwoodian!

Wishing all the contestants’ great success, love, and happiness!

Nina Kelley

My name is Nina Kelley. My husband and I and our 3 young children moved to Norwood in August, 2001. Who knew Norwood would fill my bucket? I met so many wonderful people here who I call dear friends through volunteering at the schools, PTA, sports, art, and music. I continue to volunteer as treasurer for FoVA (Friends of Visual Arts) supporting Norwood Schools, even though my children have all graduated. I’ve been working as a para for Norwood’s pre-k, now known as the LMPA (Little Mustangs Preschool Academy) at the Savage, for almost 19 years. I couldn’t have asked for a better working environment. Truly amazing and the most supportive group of people who are family to me. In Sept. 2012, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, with recurrences every two years. With the support of my family and friends and the people of this town, “my town” rallying around me was such a huge uplift to my spirit. Norwood’s Circle of Hope Foundation reached out and helped me and my family during the worst times; always checking in on us. We were so blessed to have this wonderful organization in our town. They do this anonymously but I’m compelled to share. In 2014, I started to volunteer for the Circle’s Annual Dancing with the Norwood Stars event at the Colonial House restaurant collecting votes, and imagined myself dancing one day. The past two years I’ve had radiation twice and was on immunotherapy. This past October, my doctor told me I was in remission, FINALLY!

I was dancing inside and out with the news. And to make this even more special, the Circle of Hope called me in November and asked if I would be one of the six dancers this year. Without hesitation, of course I said YES!! I continued to dance inside and out. I’m not aiming to raise the most, but will do my best to. I just want to be the best dancer!! LOL! This organization is near and dear to my heart.

Grateful and ever so joyful I am!

Sam White

I was born in Rutland, VT, where I grew up in the small town of Poultney, VT, for the first 18 years of my life. I was a two-sport athlete throughout my high school career playing basketball and football. I am proud to say that I am a 1,000 point scorer at Poultney High School and was honored to play in the Shrine Football game with the top senior football players in the State of Vermont vs. New Hampshire. I attended Lasell College in 2015, where I received by Bachelors in Sport Management and was a part of the men’s basketball team until graduating in 2019. I then went on to pursue my Master Degree in Athletic Administration at Castleton University where I was also a graduate assistant for the conference

& events office. During this time, I worked at Castleton’s ice rink, Spartan Arena, as a zamboni driver. After graduating in 2021, I moved to Norwood with my girlfriend, Sarah Rudker! We now own a husky mix named Koolie. From May – November of 2021, I worked at Dedham Health and Athletic Complex as a front desk manager. I applied to become the program coordinator at Norwood Recreation Department and began my position in December of 2021. Since then, I have become the recreation departments assistant director where I am stationed today. I have grown a love for the Town of Norwood and the Norwood

Recreation Department. Serving this community has been such a pleasure and I enjoy going into