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The hit reality show Dancing With the Stars that airs on ABC, immediately caught my attention during it's first season on the air. It paired professional dancers with well known celebrities, giving them only a few short weeks to learn steps and routines that were to be preformed live on television.

Any reality show peaks my interest, but surely dancing couldn't be that hard. The weeks that followed seemed to prove my statement wrong. Dancing is indeed difficult, so I was hooked. I eagerly awaited the announcements of various celebrities for a new season. And then there was season 5. One of the celebrities announced was Helio Castroneves. I cheered, I yelled, I shouted with glee, and he hadn't danced a single step.

Helio Castroneves is a popular IRL, Indy Racing League, series driver, winner of two Indianapolis 500 races, and series championship winner. So, being from Indiana, and the greatest spectacle in racing, I am instantly a fan of Helio. Of course his exuberance and winning grin even added more fans. I knew he would do well, and I vowed to do my part.

Helio was paired with Julianne Hough, winner of the previous season, and I was ready for the season to begin. I made a yard sign with the phone number to call to vote, I posted signs in my van, I told people I knew to vote, I even posted the information on my Helium about me page! I was in earnest that Helio should win.

I was so eager, I did my part. I voted at the stroke of 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday nights, even before the dancers descended on the dance floor. And each Tuesday, I nervously awaited the results of the voting. No one had better make me miss Monday nights, and no one had better tie up my phone line.

My favorite dance they preformed was the freestyle they performed to the song "Land of a Thousand Dances." The amazing progression of Helio's dance skills was evident, and his abilities after only dancing for a few short weeks amazed me. The lifts were amazing and the dance was prefect, unfortunately one judge did not give Helio the 10 score he deserved. However, that allowed the public to decide on their own which was the best dancer. And beyond the odds Vegas gave, Helio did win!

Over the next few weeks, all of Indiana celebrated, it was if their own had won. After all, Indiana was a home away from home for Helio.

And the exposure was good for the sport as well. IRL is now better know around the country, and everyone appreciates the athletes that drive the cars in the series.

I shouted with glee, I jumped for joy, I celebrated! Yeah! My favorite dancer won!

Learn more about this author, Meg A Wright.
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