Two area dancers win top prize

TIFTON, Ga. — Two metro Albany residents were the big winners at the recent Dancing Stars of South Georgia event conducted in Tifton for the Georgia chapter of Alzheimer’s Association.

The competition, which raised $73,000 for Alzheimer’s Association, featured 18 dancers. The event matched pro dancers along with amateurs.

Daryl Salter, vice president of lending and business development for DOCO Credit Union of Albany, and Kaycee Land of The Pink Slipper School of Dance in Lee County won the Judge’s Award.

Salter also was the second-place fundraiser and vote recipient with more than $10,000 raised for his participation in the contest.

People’s Choice winner was Ginger Nelson of Tifton, who raised $18,000 for Alzheimer’s Association.

Salter and Land danced the tango and wowed the judges, which included Miss Georgia 2012 Leighton Jordan, Tifton Mayor Jamie Carter, Tifton dance school owner Carolyn Ellis and retired dance school owner Jeani Synyard of Valdosta.

Approximately 350 people attended Dancing With the Stars of South Georgia. The program included a memorial tribute to Reginald Garrard of Camilla.

Dance winners were Kaycee Land (left) of Lee County and Daryl Salter of Albany. Salter raised more than $10,000 for Alzheimer’s Association.