Dan DaranciangA record-breaking 521 students packed the Athletic Complex Saturday night, singing along to the Backstreet Boys or just laughing and giggling while getting their groove on at Washington University’s seventh annual Dance Marathon. The 12-hour charity event netted over $58,000 for St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
“Our goal was 500 participants, and we went over,” said Adina Seidenfeld, senior and co-chair for family relations. This year there were 521 registered dancers.
“This is 100 more than last year, and last year was at least 100 more than the year before,” said senior and co-overall Katie Kross. “There has been an increase since we moved to the fall.”
The Dance Marathon moved to the fall semester last year. According to Kross, this was done to “get more freshmen involved” and to bring a large community service event to campus in the fall.
“There was no big event in the fall, and we wanted to balance it with our big spring fundraiser, Relay for Life,” said Seidenfeld. “We target freshmen, because then people realize how much fun it is and continue doing it.”
Dance Marathon raises money for the national Children’s Miracle Network, an organization that helps raise money for children’s hospitals. This year’s Marathon focused on fundraising for St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
“Infants in the prenatal care unit need units that can cost $20,000 for just one [isolette],” said Seidenfeld. An isolette is similar to an incubator for newborns. “That’s why it’s important to raise money. The hospitals need the money,” she said.
Although freshmen were the largest group that participated, groups from Greek Life and Campus Y, among others, joined in on the party. “People can bond doing this together for 12 hours,” said Seidenfeld.
Christine Linck, a national Children’s Network adviser who works with Washington University, has been working with Dance Marathon since the beginning. “I’ve seen it grow. It’s now to the point where it’s a tradition,” she said. “I’m just thrilled. It’s incredible how much people are aware, and it’s amazing how much students and execs put into it.”
Dance Marathon is more than just dancing; it also includes silent auctions and dancing with patients.
“We have miracle children come and visit. They are like superheroes that come to inspire,” said junior Tassy Hayden, co-chair of public relations. “We do it all for the kids.”
Throughout the night the Marathon jumped into theme hours. Some, such as the Halloween-themed hour, were geared toward the kids, featuring activities like face painting. Other themes included country, rock star, pajama and Greek motifs. Several clubs and organizations from around campus performed as well, such as the Salsa Team, who danced during Around the World hour.
“The ’90s hits hour was quite good,” said senior Ben Kornfeld. “I know all the words because I grew up on them.”
“This year’s Disney hour was a very big hit. Everyone loved it,” said Kross. “We’ve had really good music.”
Organizers provided other activities for dancers and supporters so that they could continue to stand up for the 12 hours, but have an option besides dancing. There were signs around the gym thanking various organizations, and listing the “Top 15 things to do at Dance Marathon” with suggestions including “beat your roommate at foosball” and “show off basketball skills.”
There was also food to keep energy high, mostly donated by Bon App‚tit. Other forms of entertainment, such as the huge inflatable, were paid for, but at a discount.
Dance Marathon was not limited to the University community. Students from Fontbonne, as well as Clayton, Ladue and Pattonville High Schools also shimmied at the Athletic Complex. “It’s not just for Wash. U.; it’s for the St. Louis community,” said Linck. Many other universities participate across the country.
Everyone had their own reasons for participating. Kornfeld said, “I’m an RA on Ruby 3, and we had a floor team, but I think it’s been really well run, with constant entertainment. [The people in charge] have done an amazing job.”
“It’s important that kids our age help kids in need,” said freshman Josh Lanzet. “A lot of kids our age overlook it, and it’s not as hard to get involved as you might think.” He continued, “It gives kids the opportunity to dance for an amazing cause. We can dance and have fun at the same time.”
Dance Marathon’s executives started getting people hyped for the event about a month ago. “We danced in Bowles Plaza on October 6th and 7th,” said Kross. The execs danced outside to help raise awareness and money by selling t-shirts and baked goods and letting people dance with them for two dollars. “It helped gain awareness for Dance Marathon, and we had a great time,” said Kross.