Mark Ward-Bopp
Mark Ward-Bopp is a retired children’s pastor and now is a part-time foster parent educator. He has lived in Montgomery County for 26 years.
In his spare time, he loves to drive around in his convertible. He also enjoys photography. Ward-Bopp is married to his wife, Marla, and has five children.
The song that makes him get up and dance or sing along is “Stayin’ Alive.”
Ward-Bopp said that his reaction when asked to be a Star was surprise. He decided to participate in the Youth Service Bureau fundraiser because the CASA Program is very much needed.
He believes the public should come to the event and support him and his partner, Jessyca, “If for no other reason than to see an old man make a perfectly good fool of himself — and to support CASA.”
Jessyca South
Jessyca South has been an educator for 25 years at North Putnam Schools. She lives in Parke County at Raccoon Lake.
In her spare time, she enjoys gardening in the spring and summer. Boating and paddle boarding are her favorite summer activities. Jessyca has a son, Atticus, who is 15. Her fiance’ is Dave Hamilton. They have two new grandchildren, Reeve and Rynn.
South started dancing tap and ballet at the age of four. She danced and cheered at Avon High School and later at DePauw University. In her early 20s, she was a Fabulous Flame Dancer for the Indiana Firebirds AFL team. Since 2010, she has been a pro dancer with the Dancing with the Stars fundraisers in Putnam County and now Montgomery County.
She loves all music and said, “I feel it is the background of my life. There is a song for every moment.”
This is South’s third year as a pro for Dancing with the Montgomery County Stars. She participates because it gives her a chance to dance and a chance to help children have a better opportunity in life.
She believes the public should come to the event and support her and Ward-Bopp for the youth of Montgomery County.
“The entire evening is a wonderful experience,” she said. “It is very well organized and it is a chance to see a different side of your favorite people (the Stars) in the community.”
