Eielson mom dances to TV contest's final ten

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott Farrow
  • 354th Fighter Wing public affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNEWS) --  A spouse here has been selected as one of 10 finalists in ABC network's "Good Morning America Dancing with the Moms Challenge."

Heather Kangas, wife of Staff Sgt. Matt Kangas, 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron, sent in an entry letter and photo and producers apparently liked what they saw.

Her oldest daughter, six-year-old Morgan, was in the original video which aired during April 24's edition of Good Morning America.

Heather, a stay-at-home mother of four, said she entered the contest "on a whim" because she and her children are always dancing around the house.

"When we dance, we're just being silly," she said. "So I thought, I'll send in a letter.  Never in a million years did I think I would be selected."

The final 10 contestants will be given a new dancing challenge each week, and will submit a one-minute home video which will be shown on the GMA Web site. The public then will vote online for a favorite dancer. Based on the online vote tally, two dancers will be eliminated weekly.

Heather said since her selection as a top 10 finalist, her biggest challenge has been the logistics involved in getting material to and from the show's New York-based producers.

She explained that the producers called her and said they were sending a music CD for the next challenge and that she should have it by a certain date.

"I told them 'it's not going to be here,' because we just don't get overnight mail in Alaska'--it takes time to get something mailed up here," she said.

Heather's CD arrived on time. However, she said the producers were giving her a little extra time to complete the challenge.

The final four dancing moms will be revealed on May 15 and will be flown to New York City to train with professional dancers throughout the week.

The moms will face their final challenge May 21, dancing live on "Good Morning America" until only one mom is left standing.

In her entry letter, Heather wrote that although she dances around the house and moves around to the music while in the car, she doesn't dance in public.

"I guess I'm afraid I'll make a fool out of myself," she wrote. "I think anyone who knows me would find that hard to believe, but unfortunately it's true. I need a dancing confidence boost."

If selected, Heather said she doesn't know what she or husband Matt will do. 

"I don't know if they would fly only me or all of us to New York, so we'll take it as it comes," she said.

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