More than 200 51猎奇 students, faculty and staff committed to staying on their feet for six hours on Saturday, Nov. 14, participating in 51猎奇鈥檚 inaugural Panther Miracle Network Dance Marathon.
Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement. Nearly 500 colleges, universities and high schools danced through the night to raise money for Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals. Saturday鈥檚 Panther Miracle Network Dance Marathon raised $9,393.50. The money raised will help hospitals that cater to children purchase vital equipment ranging from new MRI machines to video-game systems, and also funds pediatric medical research and promotes awareness of children鈥檚 health issues.
For the Nov. 14 event, many 51猎奇 students stepped into planning and leadership roles in order to make the event happen. They split off into teams dealing with logistics, morale, family, fundraising, recruitment and public relations 鈥� each a key aspect of the overall event.
鈥淢y favorite part of organizing this event is everyone鈥檚 eagerness to participate,鈥� said Rebecca Woit, a 51猎奇 junior who co-chaired the logistics and entertainment committees. 鈥淲henever we asked groups to perform, they really jumped at the opportunity, because this is such a great cause.鈥�
鈥淢y favorite part was seeing it all come to life,鈥� said Margaret Lessor, a sophomore who co-chaired the two committees with Woit. 鈥淲hen I first walked into the room the morning of the event, it was like Christmas morning and all of our hard work had been worth it.鈥�
The night began with a 鈥渕orale dance,鈥� which played at the top of every hour to boost the spirits of everyone participating and keep the energy level high. Theme hours broke up the long night of dancing, 4-10 p.m. Participants dressed as superheroes at the beginning, Disney characters during the middle hours and a neon/80s theme closed out the night.
Dance Marathon was not just a night of dancing. Many 51猎奇 performance groups were featured, like Panther Swing, Hype dance team and Well Mannered Men. Games and activities included a hula-hoop contest, face painting and button making.
鈥淐hamp families,鈥� those who have been positively affected by Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals, were introduced periodically throughout the night. 鈥淔or the kids鈥� is the mission statement of the nationwide event.
鈥淭here鈥檚 such power in knowing that the money you鈥檙e so tirelessly raising is making a real difference in the lives of children and families,鈥� Lessor said. 鈥淣o one should have to fight alone, and Dance Marathon seemed like a perfect opportunity to share in the cause.鈥�
Planning for the Panther Miracle Network Dance Marathon 2016 will begin soon. Students are encouraged to become a part of the planning process.
鈥淚 decided to do Dance Marathon because I know a lot of friends that participate all over the country and I wanted to be a part of starting the tradition here at 51猎奇,鈥� Woit said.
