Students involved with the Honors Student Association (HSA), along with over 70 other organizations, will be dancing toward lofty goals as they raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network in connection with Mercy Children’s Hospital.
The HSA team, led by junior Jill Boginski, is enthusiastic about this opportunity to help others. The enthusiasm of the team heightened after a visit to the hospital in Toledo.
“It meant a lot to me to be see who you are really helping,” Boginski said. “I was personally rewarded to see what all of this work is going toward.”
The trip to the hospital also encouraged the team to become more organized in the planning stages.
Many team members feel that Dance Marathon is a great way not only to help others but become more involved on campus.
“I wanted to get more involved in HSA, and Dance Marathon seems like a wonderful overall campus involvement activity,” said freshman Adriann Schubert.
For freshman participant Catie Sprague, Dance Marathon presents a wonderful opportunity because HSA is the only organization she is currently involved in.
“I can’t imagine anyone being hesitant to be involved,” said junior participant Rebecca Smith. “After you are involved in it the first year, you keep wanting to continue with it.”
The HSA dancers agree that the exhaustion they will experience during Dance Marathon will be worth the benefits they will receive from participating.
“Dance Marathon gives me a realization of what I have,” Schubert said. “The pain in dancing will give me more compassion and understanding.”
However, the dancers will not be forced to complete this task on their own. Eight team members will be serving as HSA moralers, aimed to encourage and support weary dancers.
“I like keeping their spirits up,” Smith said.
HSA team members foresee Dance Marathon as an event that will continue to grow and improve for years to come.
“With so many organizations involved, Dance Marathon will be as good or better in the future,” Schubert said.
“I’ve seen a big difference (in Dance Marathon) even from last year,” Smith said. “I hope Dance Marathon continues to grow and could be something the University is known for.”