Carol Hershey
BNR Squares Square Dance Club
Kansas City, Missouri
Northwest District

2022 Square Dancer of the Year

Carol and her husband, Bob, square danced in the early years of their marriage. But like many of us took a hiatus to raise a family. Carol came back in 2001 after her husband passed away to take refresher lessons and joined Ray’s Rockers. So began her journey into square dancing. When Ray’s Rockers folded in 2004, Carol joined the BNR squares. She remains on our their most active members. She also supports many other clubs including Savannah Sashayers, Dan’s Dancers and St Joe Squares.

Carol can be counted on to be all the club dances. She not only comes early to help with set up, she brings refreshments, helps with kitchen duties and stays late to help put things away after each dance. Carol is also a valued angel. She always has a smile and an encouraging word for new dancers, besides guiding them with an extended hand or gentle nudge. Carol attends almost all club visitations and when there is a club function scheduled, is one of the first to confirm her participation. She has traveled across both Kansas and Missouri and into Arkansas on club trips. Carol has provided her home for club meetings and potlucks at least twice a year for many years.

Carol began working with the Northwest Missouri District as the delegate for BNR Squares. She has since served the district as Secretary, Facebook administrator, Co-President and District President. Carol was instrumental in developing the Friendship Visitation Program which promotes visitation by not only clubs but individuals to other district clubs, as well as clubs outside the district. She is also the board of HASSDA serving as Historian and Facebook administrator, as well as the Ambassador for the state of Missouri giving valuable insight to the hosting of the annual festival. She has served on committees for the state and national conventions.

Carol has participated in demonstrations in nursing homes and schools and danced in public venues to promote square dancing. She takes every opportunity to promote square dancing in the most positive light possible. She has worked actively with the club in in efforts to raise donations for missions for the church where the club dances, as well as The Alzheimer’s Association, Toys for Tots and Gladstone Police Department’s Bears on Patrol program. She enjoys both knitting and crocheting and has donated countless items to her church and other charitable organizations.

Carol Hershey exemplifies what every square dancer should strive to be. She is kind and generous and always reliable. She is friendly and welcoming to all who attend any square dance function. She works to promote square dancing with enthusiasm and supports all square dance organizations form clubs on up to the state level.

It is with great pleasure, the Missouri Federation of Square N Round Dance Clubs present Carol Hershey of BNR Squares and The Northwest District as the 2022 Square dancer of the year.