Chris Borzym, the former owner of Christopher Mark Flowers in Brookfield who was representing Betty’s Flower and Gifts, was declared the champion of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Dancing with the Chamber competition, featuring 10 dancers representing local businesses, on Oct. 1.
More than 500 people filled the auditorium of Riverside-Brookfield High School for the chamber fundraiser to cheer on Borzym and fellow competitors Jason Baumann (Boxless Media), Mike Doerr (A Sound Education), Doug Fiala (Douglas Auto Body), Hector Freytas (RBHS principal), Charles Hitzeman (Hitzeman Funeral Home), Annette Pardun (Fill My Jar), Aaron Pesek (Beach Ave. BBQ), Abby Snow (Brennan Massage & Spa) and Mary Vasquez (Mary’s Morning Mix-Up).
Chris Borzym grasps his trophy while addressing the crowd after being crowned the winner of Dancing with the Chamber on Oct. 1 at RBHS. (Photo by Lisa Miller) 
Abby Snow (left) and Alejandro Cruz wowed with their West Coast swing performance to Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar.” (Photo by Lisa Miller) 
Mary Vasquez (left), performed an upbeat mambo to Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5.”(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
Dancing with the Chamber was emceed by (from left) Chamber of Commerce President Brian Sharenow, chamber Secretary/Treasurer Amy Weinert and chamber admin Anne Clark. (Photo by Lisa Miller) 
An enthusiastic crowd cheers on dancers. (Photo by Lisa Miller) 
Charles Hitzeman, whose foxtrot to Marvin Hamlisch’s “One” kicked off the event, waves to his fans. (Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller) 
(Photo by Lisa Miller)
Their dances were choreographed by Brookfield resident Teresa Swanson, owner of Sway Dance Studio in Chicago. Professional dancers from Sway — Aynsley Parker, Alejandro Cruz and Sophia Papadopoulos — were paired up with the contestants who each performed one number on stage before a panel of three judges, Swanson, Mary Vyskocil and Landmark editor Bob Uphues.
In the end, judges were swayed (if you will) by Borzym’s number, set to the jubilant sounds of Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration” and performed just two days after Borzym’s first round of chemotherapy treatment for the prostate cancer that reappeared recently after he underwent successful radiation treatments in 2021.
