SANFORD — Sanford’s first elected Mayor, Tom Cote, has another accomplishment under his belt. He and dance partner Diane Higgins, owner of Diane’s School of Dance, were the winners Saturday night of “Let’s Dance with the Stars,” an annual fundraiser for Maine Children’s Cancer Program, held at Memorial Gym.

The pair performed a contemporary dance mix to “Good Night Moon,” by Ambrosia Parsley. They made one of eight performances Saturday night, which were scored by a panel of judges and audience ballots.

“I think more politicians should dance,” said judge George Kane, a seasoned dancer, instructor and judge. Higgins brings out the best in her students, he said.

“Don’t sell yourself short, you have rhythm, you kept up with her,” said judge and dancer Liane Penley to Cote.

The duo received a solid “10” from the panel of judges, and were the overall winners according to a post on the dance school’s Facebook page.

A variety of dance styles were performed Saturday night, all with much enthusiasm by the eight duos who competed.

“No matter what happens, it’s for a good cause,” said Jim Paquette, owner of restaurants Back Street Grill and Mill 67. He and Kendra O’Connell, owner of Jazz Tappin’ Dance Academy, performed a hip hop routine to “Yeah!” by Usher.

One pair with a notable fan club was Heather Torno-Roux and Michael Dinardo, performing jazz and hip hop dance to a medley of 1980s music. Torno-Roux is the owner of Northern Explosion Dance Studio, and Dinardo is a manufacturing engineer at Pratt and Whitney and a board member of the Sanford Red and White Foundation. Dinardo had a table of friends waving fans with his face on them. Dinardo ”“ nearly unrecognizable in a long, black wig ”“ said he didn’t tell his wife what the routine was before the show.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].