Transcription:
Wishes Granted
Dance Marathon breaks records
By Kara Kenney
After months of preparation, about 600 exhausted IU students proved that 36 hours of dancing is a small price to pay to help hospitalize children.
The 1999 Dance Marathon broke fund-raising records as participants raised $315,060.16 for the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Children Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. This was the largest increase in Dance Marathon history, nearly $85,000 more than last year.
“It's a reflection of the commitment of every level, from dancers to the executive board,” said President of Dance Marathon Council Joe Todd, a senior. “It shows how much they really care.”
Dance Marathon is the third-largest student-run philanthropic event in the nation. The Marathon has raised more than $1 million since it began in 1991.
The event began at 8 p.m. Friday and ended at 8 a.m. Sunday in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation gymnasium.
The dancers were divided into groups and assigned a station, which rotated about every 30 minutes. While some dancers learned a line dance or got a massage, other dancers were feasting on the food provided by a number of local sponsors. Ten meals and snacks were provided during the Marathon at four hour intervals.
Dancers also listened to the music of the 15 scheduled bands, including Mike and Joe and Straight No Chaser.
In addition to entertainment, the Morale Committee played a vital role in the cheerful atmosphere of the Marathon. The Morale Committee is composed of 24 students selected from a pool of 75 applicants. The committee was chosen for their outgoing and energetic personalities.
"We just keep the dancers enthused and awake throughout the en-tire 36 hours," said Director of Morale Ben Pucci, a junior.
Throughout the Marathon, the committee taught a line dance that was performed for the Riley families at the closing ceremonies. The committee dressed in costumes for various themes including army, luau, barndance and '80s sports to liven up the event.
While the Morale Committee worked to keep the dancers motivated, 10 other committees worked to keep the event running smoothly.
'The Marathon is the culmination of a Jot of work and a lot of feelings," said Director of Operations Philip Roessler, a senior.
With this year's Marathon being the most successful, dancers and directors alike hope that the Marathon will continue to grow in the coming years.
"Hopefully it will continue to surpass every other year," said Michelle Roger, director of the Riley Telethon at Riley Hospital. ''Every dollar that is raised is more for the kids at Riley's."
Weekend winners:
Most Improved Fund-raisers: Chi Omega, Sigma Pi, Forest Quad.
Best Banner: Alpha Xi Delta.
Spirit Point awards: Greek: Kappa Delta and Alpha Tau Omega;
Independent: Alpha Kappa Psi and Delta Sigma Pi; Residence Hall: Forest.
Funds raised: Kappa Delta and Alpha Tau Omega ($44,000); Alpha Phi and Delta Upsilon; Delta Zeta and Phi Gamma Delta.
Hope Award: Kappa Delta and Alpha Tau Omega.
