Morale Committee boosts dancers' spirits

Thirty-six hours of dancing, playing games and making friends. Thirty-six hours of making memories for a lifetime. Thirty-six hours of making a difference and seeing smiles on the faces of ill children and their families. Thirty-six hours without sleep.\nThis weekend, 700 students gathered at the gymnasium at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building to participate in the 10th annual Dance Marathon for 36 hours. Students spent the past year raising money for Riley Hospital for Children. Their efforts concluded with the Dance Marathon. \n"The Marathon is really a celebration for all they have been doing," said Kimberly Wisniewski, a junior and director of public relations for Dance Marathon. "The music and the entertainment is the reward. It's a big campus party with all your friends."\nThe participating students are required to stay awake the entire time. The only time they may sit down is to eat -- and even then, only for 20 minutes at a time. For many students, staying awake and moving is a challenge. Morale Committee members were there to make sure the students were having a good time and they were awake.\nSenior and Morale Committee director J. Ryan Williams said the committee plays an important role in the marathon.\n"We are here to keep people pumped and get people excited," Williams said. "We chose the members very carefully -- they all have spunk."\nStudents on the committee went through an intense interview process. Jen Satterly, a senior and Morale Committee member, said she showed a lot of enthusiasm in her interview for the committee.\n"They ask very strange questions, and you have to answer them very creatively," Satterly said. "We are the largest committee, and all of us are very close. I decided to do this after dancing for two years -- it's only 36 hours."\nMorale Committee members were also in charge of games and activities. The dancers were divided up into various groups rotated through activities, led by Morale Committee members. Students played games, learned a line dance, ate and received massages. Bands performed throughout the event to keep the students awake and dancing. Drill sergeants greeted the dancers Saturday morning to run them through calisthenics in Woodlawn Field. \nIf students were too tired and wanted to leave, it was the Morale Committee members' responsibility to encourage them to stay. But some dancers did leave.\n"We discourage leaving, and it's unfortunate when it happens," Williams said. "But maybe the people that leave didn't want to be here in the first place. The people that are here until the end are the ones that will benefit and see the results and see what it means to the families."\nWilliams said it was his responsibility to keep his committee motivated, and he said the task was not difficult.\n"They all love this organization, and after working together for nine months we are all very close," Williams said. "If one person falls the rest will pick them up. We are like a flock of geese."\nMany students said the Morale Committee motivated them. But many said their biggest motivation was seeing the Riley kids and families speaking on stage.\n"There is yet to be a cure," said Stacie Thornburgha, a 17-year-old Riley patient. "But maybe in the future and with some of the funds that are raised in this event there may be a cure for my disease and for others that have this and many other incurable diseases."\nDancer and junior Sophie Califano was one of the students inspired by the Riley children.\n"This event is hard physically, but you listen to the families and you start sobbing," Califano said. "You feel selfish for feeling tired. I am so happy and proud I am doing this event."\nThroughout the event many people went on stage to congratulate and motivate the dancers. Dean of Students Richard McKaig spoke to students Friday night.\n"I like to thank you for staying here because when I usually go to parties people run out the back door," McKaig said laughing, "Let me assure you 20 years from now you may not remember your 8 a.m. finite class, but you will forever remember this weekend."\nA variety of people spoke on stage throughout the event. Many memorable stories and experiences were shared amongst the group of 1,000 people. One of those moments was a surprise marriage proposal.\nRyan Tierney, who graduated last year, proposed to his girlfriend senior Kelly Souhrada. They met last year while working on Dance Marathon together. Tierney went on stage to talk about their love and how important Dance Marathon was to both of them. Then he called Souhrada to the stage, got on one knee and proposed. She accepted.\n"I am so excited and happy right now," Tierney said. "I can't believe I did it. I was thinking about it for the past six months. It's so great to share this with everyone because this is how it all started."\nThe marathon ended Sunday at 8 a.m. \n"The entire time we ran around trying to be positive," said Nicki Incandela, a junior and Morale Committee member. "I can't even explain how I feel. I feel I accomplished my goal by having everyone dance with smiles on their faces -- that's the rewarding thing"