Zumba Event to Raise Money for Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung Scholarship

She wasn’t into Zumba, but she loved to dance. She certainly loved to have fun. And most of all, she loved to help others fulfill their dreams.

On Friday, people from all over the state and beyond will head to Prospect to dance. They will have fun. And they will help teenagers fulfill a dream of going to college to become an educator. These people will do so while honoring the spectacular life of Naugatuck native Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, the charming and charismatic principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School who died in the tragedy on Dec. 14.

The Zumba for a Cause fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 22 at Prospect’s Community School, 12 Center St. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

People who are into Zumba will exercise the night away, while those are not will observe and hope to win one of the numerous raffle prizes generously donated by area businesses.

Naugatuck resident MaryAnn Suarez, Hochsprung’s niece, is organizing the event, one of several fundraisers held to raise money for the scholarship fund. It is to be awarded every year to a Naugatuck High School senior who plans to pursue a career in education, and someone who shares the same enthusiasm for education as Hochsprung.

Hochsprung’s daughter, Erica (Lafferty) Smegelski, said people have been overwhelmingly generous in their support for the scholarship fund.

Those who have donated raffle prizes for Friday’s event thus far are Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe, Torino’s Italian and Domestic Deli, Ultima Tan, Figs, Pub 25, Newberry, Giusseppe’s Italian Pizzeria, Senor Panchos Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Prospect, Julie Allen Bridals, Party Lite, Queen Street gifts, Newtown Nail Spa, Rhythmn Therapies Massage and Uncle Sam’s Restaurant. A grand prize will be one year of unlimited Zumba classes at Live Love Dance in Prospect, which is a major sponsor of the event and will help organize classes Friday night.

While doors open at 6 p.m., the Zumba will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Friday. All are invited, regardless of whether they participate in Zumba.

For tickets, contact MaryAnn at 203.464.9970 or Sally at 203.206.7301.

Click here to learn more about the event. 

Click here to learn more about the Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung Memorial Fund.