Category Archives: Dance Marathon

Dance Marathon, News

Dance Marathon raises $64,596.95

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The FCDM executive committee reveals the total sum of money raised this year, $64,596.95.
The FCDM executive committee reveals the total sum of money raised this year, $64,596.95. Photo by Meghan Poff.

By Alaina King, Hannah Cheatham, Brad Hunt, and Zoe Doebbler

After all the dancing, eating, stories, and games, Dance Marathon came to an end Saturday night.

“This has just been the product of all of our hard work that we’ve worked on for almost a year now and it is just so nice to see it all come to life,” said junior Emily Naville.

Although the process of putting together Dance Marathon was overwhelming, the night proved to be successful.

“This night means so much to me because it is the result of all this drama, stress, exhaustion, and hard work. Everything that has been so overwhelming for months now and seeing it all come together and seeing everyone enjoying themselves is really inspiring,” said senior Sarah Henry.

The night proved to be eventful, even to those attending for the first time.

“Dance Marathon has been amazing and great. It was really nice having the Riley kids talk and share their stories because it was really inspirational,” said freshman Lucas Willman. “My favorite part was the rave; I really enjoyed that.”

Many families from Riley visited Dance Marathon to share their stories.

“Hearing all the kids’ stories has really made me realize why I do this. They have been such amazing people to have gone through this and still stayed positive and came to share their stories and I have been so inspired. My favorite part this year has been meeting the Riley families because since I’m on the Riley Relations Committee I have been talking to them for months now, but tonight was the first time I have met them in person,” said Naville.

One of the Dance Marathon coordinators, English teacher Matthew Townsend, said he hopes Dance Marathon teaches selflessness.

“Dance Marathon means doing something larger and not focusing on ourselves. This is all for the kids and that means doing all we can do so we can provide someone at Riley some kind of hope or inspiration that they didn’t have yesterday,” said Townsend. “All that matters is that Riley has money that they didn’t have before.”

Students involved with Dance Marathon encourage others to experience the event in future years.

“If you have thinking about going next year, then definitely come,” said Naville. “You can’t even comprehend what Dance Marathon is unless you witness it.”

Dance Marathon

Attendees express opinions on 2014 Dance Marathon

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by Delaney Smith

The Dance Marathon is almost over but the excitement is still running high. This year’s carnival theme has everyone on their feet and guessing what is yet to come, whether it be the next Riley story or the next big event such as the real life Hunger Games.

“This is my second year coming to Dance Marathon,” said sophomore Kailey Haydon. “They really went all out; it has been a lot of fun.”

Students have enjoyed many of the activities throughout the event such as carnival games, inflatables, and many other small things to keep them up and moving for the whole seven hours.

“My favorite part about this year is learning the Morale Dance because I really like dancing,” said junior Allison Burkhart.

With many events left, everyone is looking forward to seeing what the rest of the night holds. The ending ceremony and the grand total are only a couple of the big events that are yet to come.

“I look forward to seeing the grand total and how much we helped out the kids at Riley,” said senior Kylie Davis.

FCDM is ongoing for the next hour and a half until 9 p.m. Continue to follow on-going coverage throughout the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

Brooke McAfee, Dance Marathon, Elise Kurk, Jeremy Hammond, Mitchell Lockhart, News

Dance Marathon committees make final preparations as FCDM begins

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By Brooke McAfee, Elise Kurk, and Mitchell Lockhart

As students and volunteers prepare for a long day of activities, they express their excitement for today’s Dance Marathon.

Junior Sydney Davis, who is part of the Entertainment Committee, said she is excited to how much money is raised.

“I am super excited to see our total. I am really hoping we meet our goal,” she said.

Senior Eliza Hudson is part of the Morale Committee, and it is her responsibility to get people pumped up and teach the morale dance throughout the day.

“There will be a lot of games and activities and a lot of great Riley kids stories,” she said.

Another aspect many people are excited about is the free food. It is the Dance Marathon Committee’s job to find caterers to donate food. The food will include Tumbleweed, Beef ‘O’Brady’s, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Olive Garden, and Arni’s.

“We spend months leading up the the Dance Marathon contacting different restuarants seeing if they will donate food or sell at a discounted price,” said junior Gabby Gibson, who works on the Catering Committee.

Some of the events that are scheduled include a Hunger Games event, involving Nerf guns, and the Rave Hour, featuring strobe lights and a fog machine in a darkened room.

Kerry Jones, one of the heads of the National Art Honors Society, is working at a booth where students can make items for sick children.

“We are making puppy-pals and stuffing pillows…each pillow goes to a sick kid,” she said.

Senior Sarah Henry, an entertainment and decorations executive member, said although the activities are enjoyable, it is helping the Riley children that is most rewarding.

“I can’t wait to see the whole school come together for the kids,” she said.

FCDM has just begun. Check back throughout the afternoon and evening for continual coverage.

Dance Marathon, Features, Hannah Cheatham, News

Dance Marathon members prepare endlessly in the hours before today’s event

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By Alaina King and Hannah Cheatham

Although the fourth annual Dance Marathon for Riley Children’s Hospital does not start for another hour, the committees have been hard at work, some even sleeping on air mattresses in the school last night in order to finish decorating the gym.

“The committees started setting up right after school, and the girl room went to bed around 1:30 a.m. We got up at 8 a.m. and Mrs. Stansbury, Mrs. Martin, and myself made biscuits and gravy, eggs, and bacon for the executive committee,” said Katrina Uhl, one of the Dance Marathon Coordinators.

Only the executive members stayed the night, but others proved their dedication by staying late and coming in early to set up.

“I stayed until 9 and came in at 10 to prepare for the event,” said junior committee member Sydney Davis.

The committee’s main goal was to make sure the gym looked nice and all the booths were prepared.

“Staying the night here was awesome, we spent a lot of time putting things together to make it look great for today so everyone can enjoy themselves and have a great night since they raised money for the kids,” said senior executive committee member Tanner Cook.

Registration for FCDM is ongoing now. The event officially kicks off at 2 p.m. Check back for updates throughout the afternoon and evening for continued coverage.