The George Snow Scholarship Fund (GSSF) broke another fundraising record at this year’s Boca Ballroom Battle, raising $1.7 million to benefit deserving scholars.
The annual gala returned to The Boca Raton over the weekend, with eight local community dancers—dubbed the Royal Collective—hitting the dance floor after training for months with the professionals at Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Boca Raton. Through the course of their training, the Royal Collective led fundraising campaigns for GSSF scholars, the monies of which will go toward covering everything from tuition and dorm supplies to care packages and housing.
“The funds raised through this spectacular event are a reflection of the compassion and generosity of our community,” said GSSF President Tim Snow in a press statement. “Our Community Dancers, Alumni Dancers, Dance Professionals, Donors, Supporters, and Volunteers all play a vital role in this success. Together, we are opening doors to higher education for the future leaders of our community.”
Attendees of the Ballroom Battle arrived in their flashiest sequined attire for the British Invasion-themed affair and enjoyed dance performances to iconic songs of the era by the Royal Collective paired with Fred Astaire dancers.
The top fundraisers for this year were Michelle Hagerty, bringing in more than $375,000, and George Petrocelli, who raised more than $290,000 and broke the record for fundraising in the men’s division. The rest of the Royal Collective lineup included Michael Drews, Mitchell C. Fogel, Troy Ganter, Lauren Muñoz, Linda Paton and Allison Stewart.
Funds raised this year topped the previous Ballroom Battle record of $1.37 million that was set last year. In 2025 alone, the GSSF awarded more than $5.5 million in scholarships and Scholar Support Services to 374 local students.
