BUFFALO TWP — There's someone better to dance with than a star — a teacher.

More than 20 student-teacher duos this month at Freeport High School vied for one of six slots in the finals of the Dancing with the Faculty competition that raises money for the Freeport Food Bank.

Senior Tyler Manko, 18, of Buffalo Township showed his skills recently during a brief rehearsal, leaping through the air at one point.

Despite a background in dance, Manko had not planned on entering the competition.

However, when fellow student Mitch Shaw was injured in a football game, teacher Tawnya Lunz was left without a partner.

Tyler said his girlfriend talked him into offering his services. He didn't have much time to learn the routine.

"Mitch had everything down," Tyler said.

Even though Tyler did not intend on participating, he wasn't nervous about dancing with a teacher.

"It wasn't awkward," he said. "She's a great teacher. It's fun."

The pair's routine was a hit. They comprise one of the six duos named finalists Wednesday.

Lunz, the media teacher who runs the student television station, and science teacher Toni Riffer conduct the fundraiser, which began in 2006.

Riffer said inspiration wasn't derived from the popular TV show "Dancing with the Stars," but rather people dancing to "The Hustle" in a classroom.

"I thought, 'they're having so much fun,'" she said.

Riffer said some teachers initially think "I can't do this," but later realize "it's not as hard as it looks."

For 2007, the teachers switched the competition to lip syncing songs.

After taking a break last year, dancing with the teachers returned this month.

The first time, there were 19 teachers participating. Now, 22 are vying for a spot in the finals.

The 22 duos taped routines now airing on the Internet and on the student cable TV channel. People voted for the best couple through donations collected in plastic containers in the high school office.

The top six couples will perform in the school auditorium Wednesday for the title.

Lunz said other high schools and colleges have asked Freeport for advice on starting their own dance contests.

Lunz also said she is never surprised by the skills of students, no matter how shy they are.

Teachers are another matter.

Senior Brandi Cadamore, 17, of South Buffalo Township was patient with her partner, social studies teacher Bill Siegel.

"He's a very slow learner," she said.

Cadamore said they didn't plan on doing any complex dance moves.

"He doesn't want to do anything too challenging," she said.

She wasn't worried about performing before everyone.

"Who really cares if you make a fool of yourself," she said.

Siegel, who escaped dancing in 2006, blames Riffer for his participation.

"I was coerced into it by her," he said.

Siegel, who also is a school athletic trainer, said there's a good reason why the competition is challenging."I never danced in my life except for my wedding," he said.Unlike Tyler, junior Joey Sadecky, 17, of Buffalo Township is new to boogieing to the music."I've never danced before," he said.But since Sadecky had fun with the lip syncing in 2007, he opted to try something new again.He and English teacher Miranda Boring, who also made the finals, danced to 1980s music for their entry.Riffer said anyone initially nervous eventually overcomes fears of performing."Ms. Lunz says no one can turn me down," Riffer said.Senior Alex Isenberg, 18, of Freeport is the real pro among the entrants."My mother owns a dance studio," he said. "I've danced since I was 3."But Isenberg still was nervous the first time he competed in 2006."I was a freshman," he said. "It was a little intimidating. (But) I'd figure I'd give it a try."Alex and his partner, teacher's aide Jamie Phillips, also made it to the finals.The other three duos prepping for Wednesday's competition are science teacher Ryan Cooper and freshman Alyson Smith; band drum line coordinator Mark Ortego and freshman Rachel Sadecky, who is Joey's sister; and special education teacher Derek Ritter and senior Sam Weber.Although only six duos make it to the finals, every participant will have an opportunity to perform.A group number, led by science teacher Phil Grasha and junior Katie Pullano, rounds out the Wednesday show.The 2006 Dancing with the Faculty raised $3,064. The 2007 Lip Service fundraiser raked in $3,103.Donations still are being collected for this year's fundraiser."We are hoping to raise more," Lunz said about exceeding previous years.The total for this year's fundraiser will be released at the dance-off assembly.