Mary Johnson

Mary Johnson couldn't get a ticket to last year's sold out event. But, when champion Tony Carbonara shared his experiences with her, she knew she had to be part of "Dancing to a New Beat." She's always wanted to dance-what a great opportunity to learn. Some might find it daunting to learn in such a public way, but not Mary. The challenge appeals to her competitive spirit. A volleyball player in high school and college, she knows that practice ends when competition begins. Don't bother playing if you don't bring your "A" game.

This time, though, winning has a deeper meaning. She's dedicated to supporting SMMC-SC and cardiac care. She lost two grandparents to heart disease and knows the difference good care can make. She also knows how critical having a quality hospital just down the street can be. During her dad's long battle with leukemia, there were a number of occasions when his need for care was immediate-and hitting the freeway wouldn't have been an option. Luckily, it didn't have to be.

Mary and her dad, Roger, founded Universal Press in 1986. They worked together--until his death in 2001-to grow it from a small print and copy center to a full service digital printing resource. Today, the business is still a family affair: her mom Phyllis and son Ben work by her side as it continues to expand to meet the needs of San Clemente and a growing out of town clientele that orders printing remotely via email.

Oh, and how does this dynamo describe her dance style? "Frisky." That fits.

• See More Dancers