Fun, food, and games at the annual Dance Marathon
The Campus Center was full of music, competition and miracles as Dance Marathon (DM) hosted its fourth annual 12.5-hour long event on Saturday, Feb. 12. Even though the event usually lasts only 12 hours, this year’s DM executive board decided to extend it for another half an hour to further celebrate Rollins’ 125th anniversary. The event collectively raised approximately $12,350.07.
Participants stand for such a long time to show solidarity to those children who oftentimes must wait 12 hours, sometimes longer, for a diagnosis that will change their lives. It is a way for participants to empathize with and attempt to understand the difficulties and tiredness these kids have no other option but to endure.
Participants, whether individually or in teams, raised money for the Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization that serves to help the lives of young children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. In this case, all of the proceeds we raised will go to the Arnold Palmer Hospital of Greater Orlando.
The event was packed with activities, competitions, games, dancing, singing and excitement. Most importantly, the families of Miracle children visited to share their stories and bring to life the cause we all stood so long for.
The mother of a little girl named Grayson shared the story of how her child became sick on Christmas holiday.
Despite assurances from doctors that her daughter just had a bug, she knew it was something more.
They soon found out that she had a blood clot and was forced to wait months for a heart donor. Even though the odds were against her, Grayson stood in front of us and played a beautiful song that confirmed to us all why we were there.
We then went ahead to learn the morale dance. This song played at the top of every hour.
Many people took part in a Jazzercise class and the Dance Marathon Olympics, hosted by Winter Park High School students. Among other games, we played football and “Project Runway.” Participants had a lot of fun cheering each other on to keep the morale high. Many students went between taking part in activities and catching up on homework as well.
As the countdown began until we could finally sit down, we enjoyed a yoga class to help ease our weary legs, and the Rollins Improv Players (RIP) performed scenes on the topic of love and Valentine’s Day. They certainly took our minds off of our aching legs.
To conclude the night, we enjoyed a DM traditional rave party with glow sticks. Ethan White ’13 and Colleen Mahoney ’11 won Rave King and Queen for the evening.
Finally, 12:30 a.m. hit and we all sat down. At the following awards ceremony, Morgan Williams ’13 won Most Fundraised, Nicholas Pittari ’11 won Most Valuable Player, DM awarded Mary Karangelen ’14 Most Spirited Individual, Non Compis Mentis won the title of Most Spirited Team, and last but not least, Delta Zeta went home with the Miracle Cup.
Brent Turner, director of Student Involvement and Leadership, shared his thoughts about Dance Marathon. “It was awesome to see the positive energy today at Dance Marathon,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite campus events because you see students from Arts and Sciences, Holt and Crummer come together with faculty and staff and the Orlando community, all for a great cause.”
Donations are still being accepted until the end of March. Please visit helpmakemiracles.org today to donate to the cause. Contact Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Jane Wurzelbacher (jwurzelbacher@rollins.edu) if you are interested in being part of next year’s Dance Marathon.
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