Dancers promote healthy lifestyle for youngsters
BY ERIN O. STATTEL
Correspondent

Entertainer Mario Lopez (third from left) and his girlfriend Karina Smirnoff (second from left), of ABC-TV's "Dancing With the Stars," visited with staff members at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold Township, last week.

Entertainer Mario Lopez and his girlfriend Karina Smirnoff, of ABC-TV's "Dancing With the Stars" fame, were in Freehold Township this past week to visit friends. While in the area the couple made stops at several locations, including the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, East Freehold Road.

When asked how hard it was to dance with professional dancers on "Dancing With the Stars" and having no background in ballroom dancing himself, Lopez replied, "It was very difficult but I just tried to have fun with it."

Lopez has hosted shows such as NBC's "The Other Half," and the 2007 Miss America pageant and he remains a strong presence in the Latino community, recently dancing with "Desperate Housewives" star and ALMA Awards show host Eva Longoria at the Latino event in Los Angeles.

"I like the responsibility," Lopez said of being a strong role model for Latino youth. "There's not too many of us, so it is important, and I try not to forget where I came from."

"Role models for youth are always welcome at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County," said Cynthia Joy, the president and CEO of the YMCA.

The YMCA focuses on helping underprivileged children become active with a safe environment. Recently, the YMCA of Western Monmouth County has targeted childhood obesity with its programs.

"We service 1,100 kids in the surrounding area before and after school," said staff member Megan McVay, assistant director of the YMCA's School Age Child Care Program, where children can learn about healthier lifestyles.

Lopez is also helping to combat childhood obesity and has teamed up with PepsiCo and choreographer Maria Torres in the Smart Spot Dance program.

The program is targeted toward the urban community and encourages community members, especially moms and youngsters, to get active through dance.

Smirnoff stays active through her competitive ballroom dancing, which she also teaches and choreographs. Smirnoff choreographed Lopez's and Longoria's dance number on the 2007 ALMA Awards.

"I knew what to expect knowing how Mario dances," Smirnoff said. "Eva had not danced like that before, but she picked it up really quickly. By the end, they had it down."

Smirnoff has been dancing since childhood and enjoys the competition of ballroom dancing. She hopes to open her own dance studio someday.

Lopez and Smirnoff both agreed that incentives should be offered to America's youths who are struggling with childhood obesity.

"They should be rewarded for their efforts," said Smirnoff of children trying to overcome the new epidemic that seems to be taking a foothold among children in America.

"The real reward is the healthier lifestyle," Lopez said, "but they should always be offered an incentive to get them interested in being healthier."