“Dance Marathon is 12 hours that we dance for the kids. Everything we do is for the kids,” senior Kaylee Burke said, a student leader in Dance Marathon.
This year, students raised an astounding $37, 295.68 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, beating last year’s impressive $36,819.25.
Dance Marathon was held Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Student Activity Center. This is the twelfth year for this annual event.
Dancing from noon until midnight, students are exhausted, but thrilled to work together for a greater cause.
Dance Marathon supports the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Elizabeth unknowingly transmitted AIDS to her daughter Ariel during a blood transfusion at birth; unfortunately, Ariel passed away. Elizabeth Glaser strove for a future where children would not suffer from AIDS.
“We raise money for the prevention of HIV and elimination of pediatric AIDS,” Burke said.
Senior Becca Wagner, student director of Dance Marathon, has been involved since her freshman year.
“On my tour of BW, my tour guide spoke about the organization and how wonderful it was. So I applied to be on the Public Relations Committee and got accepted. That was the start of my Dance Marathon love story,” Wagner said. “I would dance forever if we could find a cure for AIDS.”
“I am a part of the Morale team, and we have been choreographing dances since probably late November,” Burke said.
The Morale team also teaches all 11 dances to the dancers.
“We are also there to keep everyone’s morale up during the day,” Burke said.
Members of the Dance Marathon Steering Committee have different jobs in the preparation process. Some focus on recruitment, making sure there are enough participants in the event. Others work to organize food and entertainment. Food this
year was donated by Olive Garden and Chipotle, and all entertainment was donated as well.
“I love Dance Marathon. It is the most wonderful day. Twelve hours seems like forever, but the dancing brings you close to people you never met, and even closer to your friends who dance with you,” Burke said. “It makes me feel more aware of the world and the problems that are happening all around us.”
