Barrie Dancer Aims to Join Pak

By Leigh Blenkhorn
Barrie Advance

Barrie’s Stefanie Bruno needs your votes.

The dancer is in the running to become the newest member of the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak, but she needs a little help.

“There are eight of us who are trying to make it,” Bruno said. “The one with the most votes gets the spot.”

The Pick the Pak contest has fans vote for their favorite dancer. Voters are also entered to win prizes.

Bruno, a St. Joseph’s High School graduate, is a business management student at Ryerson University.

The 18 year old has been dancing since age three and has been a competitive dancer since she was nine.

“I saw a notice about the auditions last year, but I was too young to tryout. I convinced a friend to go and she made it into the contest,” she said. “This year, I couldn’t wait to try out.”

About 200 dancers came out on audition day, Bruno said. After learning a routine, cuts were made.

“I was so nervous the day before that I didn’t even sleep,” she said. “But I love the Raptors and I couldn’t wait to give it all I’ve got.”

Bruno said she would love to be a part of the pak just to experience the energy each game offers.

“If you’ve ever even been to watch at Raptors game, you know there is this energy in the building,” she said. “I want to be a part of creating that energy.”

Voting is open until Aug. 18.

“Make sure you vote for Stefanie with an F,” Bruno said. “The other girls are great, but I really want to make the pak.”