Arizona Cinderella Legacy- The Swartzman Family
Bob and Denise Swartzman began directing the Arizona Cinderella Program in 1983, after their daughter Stacey was the Overall Arizona Mini Miss. They believed in the mission of youth development and devoted countless hours traveling the state and planning for the Arizona State Finals. Denise loved creating productions and was always looking for new and exciting ways to make the week full of magic and memories for young women and their families. She wanted every participant to be successful and always encouraged girls to believe in themselves and be proud of their accomplishments. Together with her family, they created many traditions that we still hold on to today. Through their established Cinderella Educational Scholarship fund, they awarded over $100,000 to colleges and universities to help Cinderella girls continue their educations and pursue their dreams.
Swartzman Family Profile:
Denise and Bob were married for 40 years, and have lived in Bullhead City, Arizona for over 33 years. They have three adult daughters, Stacey, Natalie and Valerie. All three girls help run the Arizona State Finals. At one time they were all professional entertainers and bring their expertise to the Arizona State Finals. All three grew up in Cinderella. Stacey and Natalie competed in 1982 & 1983. In 1982 Stacey won the Arizona State Mini Miss title. In 1982 & 1983 Natalie won Arizona Mini Miss Talent and 1st Alternate Overall (1983). The following year Bob & Denise were asked to become the Arizona Directors. Their youngest daughter, Valerie was only two years old at the time. So, needless to say, she has spent her whole life in the world of Cinderella. Bob and Denise are the proud Grandparents of Natalie and her husband Brian Carson's, three children, Jeffrey, Eddie, and little Julia Marie. Oldest daughter, Stacey and her husband Clint Sanderson have three beautiful boys. Ethan, Blake, and Connor. Valerie and her husband Jarred have 2 sons, Daxton and Kellan and 2 daughters, Keely and McCall. Bob is the owner of S & S Concrete and Materials. In January of 2007, Denise sold her beloved "Dancers Workshop" dance studio of 18 years. Denise felt that it was her mission to reach out to kids of all ages and help build their self esteem and self worth. She felt it was easy to make a child smile and feel good about themselves.
Denise's Legacy- In her own words (2012)
"I love Cinderella and all the wonderful people I have come in contact with over the last 30 years!! There is NOTHING that compares to this fabulous program! When I look at Cinderella outside of my home town of Bullhead City, and then look at the state of Arizona, I know I am blessed by God to have met so many great families! Then… I think of all the people I have met all over the United States and other foreign countries and I feel blessed all the more. Cinderella is "a way of life". And I am happy that it is, and will always be a big part of mine and my family's life! I can even picture my grand children as future emcees (we know they must have inherited their mother's love for the stage and outgoing personalities)!! Personally, I saw all three of my daughter's grow into the confident, successful people they are through this program. There isn't anything they won't try or accept. They can deal with all the highs and lows that come their way in life. Lessons learned in Cinderella. That's why success in life and success in Cinderella isn't about the CROWN. It's about learning to be the best person you can be. The most important crown one wears is in their heart and soul. I am proud to be a part of Cinderella… the best and the true "Cadillac of the youth pageant industry!!"
On September 8, 2012, our beloved Denise became a special angel in Heaven. She was a 10 year survivor of pancreatic cancer, and Arizona Cinderella was proud to support Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Arizona Cinderella was honored to create this slideshow tribute to Ms. Denise. You can click the following link to view our tribute to this wonderful woman who will never be forgotten.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHW8WnLXq80&feature=youtu.be
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Think Purple!
Over the last five years, Arizona Cinderella has raised over $10,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Research
KNOW IT. FIGHT IT. END IT.
Here are the facts:
* This year 42,470 Americans will be diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and 35,240 will die from the disease.
* Pancreatic Cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the United States
and has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers.
* No early detection of screening exam is currently available for Pancreatic Cancer.
* An estimated 75% of patients will die within one year of diagnosis
* 52% of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease that has already spread to other organs.
* Only 2% of the National Cancer Institute's budget is allocated to this leading killer.
* Less than 5% of people diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer will survive beyond 5 years.
"Ten years ago when I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, I put myself in God's hands and in the hands of the wonderful doctors at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Thousand of prayers went out to people all over the world through the Cinderella Scholarship Program. After a year long battle with chemotherapy and two surgeries, God blessed me with a complete cure. I feel that God gave me more time on His earth to continue my work with children through the Cinderella Program, Boys & Girls Clubs, and my love of teaching dance." . . . Denise Swartzman
In an effort to raise funds for research and community awareness, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Affiliate in Phoenix is hosting a Purple Stride Event. For more information on how to get involved please visit:
http://pancan.org/section_get_involved/volunteer/affiliate_details.php?id=32
Pancreatic cancer has claimed the lives of several famous people.
* Steve Jobs, co-founder of APPLE
*Patrick Swayze, actor, dancer
• Don Hewitt, "60 Minutes" creator
• Count Basie, composer
• Ty Cobb, baseball Hall of Famer
• Joan Crawford, Academy Award winning actress
• Michael Crichton, author
• Dizzy Gillespie, musician and bandleader
• Fred Gwynne, actor-known for his role as Herman Munster
• Michael Landon, actor, director - known best for "Pa" on Little House on the Prarie
• Henry Mancini, famous composer
• Randy Pausch, college professor (delivered his now-famous last lecture in 2007 at Carnegie Mellon University)
• Luciano Pavarotti, opera singer
• Sidney Pollack, actor and director
• Donna Reed, actress "The Donna Reed Show" & "Dallas"
• Gene Upshaw, football Hall of Famer
• Dennis Weaver, actor "McCloud" last seen in "Wildfire" (co star was Nicole Tubiola, 1992 Az Cinderella Miss)
* Jack Benny, comedian, vaudville and television star
* Fernando Lamas, actor (his Grand daughter, Shayne Dahl Lamas was our 1998 Arizona Miss)
* Rex Harrison, Academy Award winning actor
Richard Crenna, actor
Gregory Hines, actor, and famous tap dancer
Denise Swartzman, Arizona Cinderella Director, and friend
The following people have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this 2013:
• NCAA President Myles Brand (diagnosed in January).
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice (diagnosed in January).
• Chuck Daly, former Detroit Pistons coach (announced in March).
For More Information on Pancreatic Cancer, go to:
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