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LDS Dancer Wins National Competition
LOS ANGELES, California — Recently
returned missionary Benji Schwimmer, a 22-year-old California native,
was named "America's favorite dancer" last night in the
season finale of the FOX television series "So You Think You
Can Dance."
Benji, whose story was told yesterday
in Meridian Magazine "Benji
Schwimmer — Dancing His Heart Out" was one of two LDS dancers
who made it to the final four contestants in the competition. His
cousin and lifelong dance partner Heidi
Groskreutz , who was featured last week in Meridian, was the
other LDS member in the final four.
More than 16 million television viewers voted
last week to determine the winner of the contest. Benji had been
a crowd favorite all along because of his technical expertise and
his personality on and off the dance floor. He won the hearts of
girls across America when he told the audience about coming home
from his mission to find a "Dear John" wedding announcement
in his mailbox.
He was not shy about talking about his religion
on the air, and because of his example people across the country
have said they have learned more about the LDS Church, and have
a more favorable impression of Latter-day Saints, than they had
before watching Benji.
A multi-time national champion in swing
dance competitions, Benji choreographs his own routines as well
as the routines of other swing dancers. He is the founder of the
humanitarian organization D.E.M.A.N.D. — Dancers Everywhere Making
a Difference.
He has promised to share part of his
$100,000 cash winnings with his cousin Heidi. Other prizes include
a new car and a year's employment dancing for Celine Dion's Las
Vegas show.
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