Clients from Easter Seals Arc competed in the nation's first Special Olympics ballroom dance competition Saturday at Memorial Coliseum.

Organizers said they hope the locally developed program will eventually become a model for a new national Special Olympics sport. Competitors got either a first-, second- or third-place medal or a ribbon.

Last week, the athletes and their “unified dancers” — more experienced dancers without disabilities — practiced at American Style Ballroom.

Steve Hinkle, president of Easter Seals Arc, is a longtime ballroom dancer and was the impetus for the program. “I figured if I didn't get it started, it's not going to happen,” he said earlier.

With the popularity of the TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” Easter Seals Arc clients were familiar with and interested in ballroom dancing. And as Hinkle noted, “Ballroom dance is a healthy activity. If you really are into ballroom dance, it can improve all kinds of things in your health. ... It can be a lifelong skill.”

About 50 Easter Seals Arc clients expressed an interest in ballroom dancing, with 23 deciding to participate in the competition, which is being organized by Vivian Hans of Fort Wayne DanceSport, a chapter of USA Dance, a nationwide organization of amateur ballroom dancers.

The ballroom dancing program will continue for at least three years, as the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne in March donated $90,000, to be divided equally over three years, to Easter Seals Arc to support the program. Easter Seals Arc provides services to children and adults with disabilities and other special needs, and support to their families.

Started in fall 2007, “Dancing With ESArc” provides adults with disabilities weekly ballroom dance lessons, taught by professional instructors at a local studio. The vision for this program is to have ballroom dancing recognized as an official Special Olympics event.