Thousands of students come together for 12 hours every year at the University of Maryland to make miracles happen. Terp Thon, a student run philanthropy, hosts an annual dance marathon every spring semester to raise money for Children’s National Health System in Washington D.C.
Children’s National Health System will never turn a child in need away because of their inability to pay for medical treatment. The money Terp Thon raises benefits thousands of children and their families every single day. This year Terp Thon has set a goal of raising $800,000 at their dance marathon happening Saturday March 5th.
You may be thinking, “wow that’s a lot of money! How are they ever going to pull that off?”Below are just a few of the faces behind the scenes of Terp Thon that make this all possible.
Hannah Chi, Sophomore
Major: Government and Politics double major
Hometown: Hollywood, MD
Leadership role: Corporate Relations Chair
Why did you get involved with Terp Thon? For my friend Kim Cox who danced with THON and inspired me to join the Dance Marathon movement.
Fun fact: I’ve tried over 70 different flavors of Georgetown Cupcakes.
Carley Scott, Senior
Major: Information Systems with a Computer Science Minor
Hometown: Salisbury, MD
Leadership role: Technology Chair.
Why did you get involved with Terp Thon? I got involved with Terp Thon because I love seeing thousands of UMD students coming together to help the kids and families at Children’s National. I think a lot of people want to give back and help others but don’t always know how. I think a lot of people want to give back and help others but don’t always know how. Terp Thon gives people an opportunity to do good. Seeing how excited and appreciative the Miracle Kids are that all these people came together to support them makes all the hard work 100% worth it.
Fun fact: I don’t know how to whistle
Kim Heller, Senior
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Robbinsville, NJ
Leadership role: Fiscal Director
Fun Fact: My right foot is a size and a half smaller than my left foot.
Alana Poser, Junior
Major: Marketing and Studio Art
Leadership role: Advertising chair
Why did you get involved with Terp Thon? My freshman year, I had trouble figuring out how to get involved on campus. Then I discovered Terp Thon and found where I truly belonged. It makes me incredibly happy knowing the amazing impact that we have on thousands of kids and families at Children’s National Health System.
Fun fact: I have an irrational fear of rubber bands.
Meredith Gentzel, Senior
Major: International Business
Leadership role: Events Chair
Why did you get involved with Terp Thon? I danced as a freshman with my sorority and completely fell in love with the cause and the event itself. I’ll never forget being amazed at how passionate everyone was and how much I wanted to be a part of it. I joined a committee my sophomore year and I have been involved ever since! My cousin was also treated at Children’s and my sister was a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit so I love being able to give back to a place that so positively impacted my family.
Fun fact: I have a two-month-old niece named Claire who I am absolutely obsessed with.
Azita Nejaddehghan, Senior
Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Leadership role: External Director
Why did you get involved with Terp Thon? When I was a freshman, my brother was a senior on the Executive Board. After attending my first Dance Marathon (and crying many, many times), I absolutely fell in love with the cause and knew I had to get involved.
Fun fact: I have this weird reflex where if you touch my nose, my tongue sticks out.
Abby Barley, Senior
Major: Neurobiology and physiology with a minor in Spanish language
Hometown: Lancaster, PALeadership role: Internal Director.
Why did you get involved in Terp Thon? I initially got involved in Terp Thon as a dancer my freshman year with my sorority and had the best time and wanted to get even more involved. My best friend from home was treated at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the treatment she received has kept her cancer free for 6 years, so I do this in her honor as well as to give back to the cause that saved her life. I also love kids and want to be a pediatric ER doctor someday.
Fun fact: I live on a huge farm at home!
Erin Fitzpatrick, Junior
Major: Accounting and Criminology and Criminal Justice
Hometown: Stony Brook, NYLeadership role: Greek Relations
Why did you get involved in Terp Thon? I attended Terp Thon my freshman year with my sorority and as soon as I got to the Dance Marathon I was hooked. I love the excitement and seeing the Kids perform. When Amanda was performing in front of thousands of college students and everyone was going crazy for her was when I realized this was a movement bigger than myself and something I wanted to be even more involved in. In that moment Amanda, who when she was just two years old lost her leg to a rare form of cancer, was a rock star, and the students at UMD made that possible. Ever since I have become even more involved in the cause and have had the most amazing experiences as a result.
Fun fact: I’m going to my friend’s condo in Florida for spring break!
Matt Angelico, Senior
Major: Bioengineering
Hometown: Natick, MALeadership role: Morale Chair.
Why did you get involved in Terp Thon? I have been volunteering to help children in need my entire life and Terp Thon has been my niche in college where I can continue my volunteering work. I love the people I work with and love the people I work to help!
Fun fact: I am ambidextrous!
Rachel Norjen, Junior
Major: Criminology and Criminal Justice and Psychology
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Leadership role: Operations Chair
Why did you get involved with Terp Thon? To make a difference in the lives of the kids and their families, as well as to be surrounded by the most passionate and like-minded people on campus.
Fun fact: Once I went dogsledding in Alaska.
Joe Cavalluzzo, Senior
Major: Finance and Acounting double major
Hometown: Salisbury, MD
Leadership role: Catering Chair
Why did you get involved with Terp Thon? I got involved in Terp Thon actually because my roommate freshman and sophomore year convinced me to do it. Now he is the executive director (Steve Sleasman)!
Fun Fact: I am in the Maryland state high school baseball record book for throwing 3 no hitters!
Kelly Boyle, Junior
Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Middletown, NJ
Leadership role: Mini Marathon Relation Chair
Why did you join Terp Thon? I joined Terp Thon to help make kids feel like rock stars every day of their lives.
Fun Fact: I have two colors in my eyes!
Amberly Holcomb, Senior
Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management with a Sustainability Studies Minor
Hometown: Centreville, MD
Leadership role: Community Relations Chair
Why did you join Terp Thon? When I went to my first Terp Thon I was really lost and I hadn’t really found my place and listening to the miracle kids really grounded me. It kind of put a lot into perspective for me. I decided that I wanted to give to an organization that had done so much to help me find my place. Getting to know the kids made me realize that everything we’re doing has such a huge impact and that helping other people is so much bigger than what it seems. Basically Terp Thon and our miracle kids changed my life and I want to do everything I can to change other people’s lives.
Fun Fact: I’m legitimately scared of zombies.
Steve Sleasman, Senior
Major: Supply Chain Management and Operations Management
Hometown: Albany, NY
Leadership role: Executive Director
Fun Fact: My spirit animal is the naked mole rat.
Sarah Kelly, Junior
Major: Government and Politics with a Global Terrorism Studies Minor
Hometown: College Park, MD
Leadership role: Fundraising Chair
Fun Fact: I once ate two family sized bags of Doritos in one sitting.
Jane Ritt, Junior
Major: Psychology with a Neuroscience Minor
Hometown: Needham, MA
Leadership role: Recruitment Chair
Fun fact: I talk to airplanes every time I fly because I believe they’ll crash if I don’t.
Adam Mirabelle, Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Hampstead, MD
Leadership role: Finance Chair
Fun fact: I put out two fire rap tracks in high school and then retired from the game forever.