IUDM continues at high schools

While the next IU Dance Marathon is another nine months away, IUDM’s Marathon Relations committee is now working to prepare dance marathons for area high schools.

The Marathon Relations committee assists 17 high schools, primarily within central Indiana, including Carmel High School, Jennings County High School and Bishop Chatard High School.

“The first high school to have a dance marathon was Bishop Chatard, and they are doing their 11th marathon this year,” said Megan Marshall, vice president of Internal Affairs and previous Marathon Relations director. “The number of high schools we helped was not large until two years ago. Last year we doubled the number of schools we go to.”

Indiana high school dance marathons were inspired by IUDM, which started 21 years ago in memory of Ryan White — who died of complications of AIDS at age 18 — with the money benefitting children of Riley Hospital in Indianapolis.

“All high school marathons were inspired by IUDM, but they also look at the high schools around them that are participating, and that motivates too,” Marshall said. “This feeds into high school rivalries as well. Ultimately the marathons are inspired by the cause and helping Riley in our community.”

The Marathon Relations committee members attend the high school marathons and also help schools fundraise and give tips on how to run a successful marathon.

“For smaller, newer dance marathons, high schools students might think the event is a lame thing,” current Marathon Relations director Julie Troyer said. “But with the college kids there, it makes it seem cooler because they love it.”

Maddie Hayford, president of the dance marathon at Bloomington High School South, said its marathon would not be the same without the support of IU students.

“I don’t think it could be as big or successful without them,” Hayford said. “They give so much advice, and we mirror our marathon off IU’s. We wouldn’t have as much of an impact on Riley without IU.”

The high school marathons help raise funds for Riley Hospital and also help promote IUDM.

“It helps IUDM grow,” Troyer said. “Some high school seniors end up attending IU and have an interest right away in IUDM and want to get involved.”

Regardless of how many people attend the marathon, the event can be memorable Troyer said.

“I went to a high school’s first marathon, and it was really small,” Troyer said. “But no matter if there are eight or 800 people, everyone is inspired, thankful and grateful. It doesn’t matter the number.”

Marshall said IUDM is bigger than just the 36-hour marathon at IU.

“It’s not just the 2,000 students at IU helping fundraise,” Marshall said. “It’s the 2,000-plus high schoolers, who are doing this at a younger age. It’s inspiring for all who see it. It’s a privilege to help them.”