Education Foundation

Right now, a student is having a learning experience made better by the work that we do.
Investing in education now to impact our future.
One teacher can inspire the lives of many.
Innovation in and outside of the classroom.
Enhancing the quality of education for all.
SOFE Cover 2024

Six celebrities have been selected to entertain you on the ballroom floor in Lake County’s premiere event, Stepping Out for Education. This local version of Dancing with the Stars is coming to the Venetian Center on Friday, July 26, 2024 and Saturday, July 27, 2024. Our creative director Eddie Rivera will start the evening off with an encore dance featuring the 2023 Mirror Ball winner, Lindsey Blaise. This year’s theme is Wild Wild West…Saddle up and get ready for the Ride! Each of the six local celebrities and their pro partners will compete in a classic ballroom style dance and finish with a freestyle Western themed dance with a top male and female named by professional judges each evening. The overall 2024 Mirror Ball winner is decided by the combined audience votes.

Tickets for the 18th Annual Stepping Out For Education are now available! Our six local celebrity dancers are ready to WOW you as they will receive 20 hours of professional lessons to help raise money for the teachers and students in Lake County Schools.

This year’s local celebrities include:

  • Jessica Giannini, Co-Owner & Vice President, GSB Construction & Development, Inc.
  • Dr. Terri Pfister Soos, Principal, Lake County Schools
  • Lydialice Rodriguez, Practice Administrator, Advanced Behavioral Health Center
  • Dr. Maen Hussein, MD, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
  • James Justin Lenhart, Family Nurse Practitioner, Rivers Family Medicine
  • Captain Michael Marden, Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Interested in being a sponsor? There are very limited Stetson, Rodeo, Saddle, and Wrangler Sponsorships available – so make sure to secure your sponsorship today!


Want to come on a date night or girl’s night out? Tickets are $160 per person and include a 4-course meal, open beer and wine bar, and a chance to vote for your favorite star.


Can’t make it to the event? We have had people ask us for another way to vote for their favorite local celebrity. Last year we introduced the Influencer Award. You can vote for you favorite local celebrity to earn this new award which will count separately from the Top Male, Top Female, and Overall Mirror Ball Winner. Each vote is $5 and can be purchased below. Voting ends July 23, 2024.

The 2023 Stepping Out for Education Presenting Sponsors are: