Every year, thousands of FSU students come together to participate in Dance Marathon and raise money and awareness for Children’s Miracle Network. “How exactly does a marathon of dancing do anything for these children?” you might ask. Well, Dance Marathon isn’t just one big party, but rather two shifts of 20 hours each where the “dancers” cannot sit or lay down. 20 hours of “standing for those who can’t.” Each dancer must raise at least $150 individually to participate in DM. That does not include the organizations that the dancers are a part of that also raise money. Last year, Dance Marathon FSU raised about $701,00 for Children’s Miracle Network. This year, Florida State broke that record by $80,000, totaling at around $781,000.
It might sound painful and very hard to stay awake and on your feet for over 20 hours once you include dancer check in, check out, etc., and it is very challenging of course, but also very rewarding. I was supposed to attend and dance at Dance Marathon this year, but due to some personal matters I was unfortunately unable to. So for those of you who, like myself, have never participated in Dance Marathon, here is a recap of a dancer’s 20 hours:
7:00 pm: Stand up. Feel a little bit of dread and silently question your physical capability to complete this.
7:00-9:00 pm: Learn a fun line dance with thousands of other students that you will do every hour, on the hour for the next 20 hours.
9:10 pm: After doing the line dance every hour, a miracle family takes the stage and tells the story of their child, who is usually with them, and how Children’s Miracle Network helped save their life. Dancers are allowed to kneel at this time out of respect for the family, and are reminded why they are dancing.
10:00-11:00 pm: During “downtimes” where there isn’t anyone performing there are still plenty of things to do, such as visit the study area and get some homework done, hoola hoop or play other games, freshen up in the vanity tent (ladies only, sorry fellas), or meet a miracle family and hear their child’s incredible story.
11:00 pm – 12:00 am: Listen to the live band, dunk a morale captain in a dunk tank, and/or grab a bite to eat.
12:00-1:00 am: DJ competition. Each organization choses a member with a large selection of music on their iPod/MP3/phone to choose songs that matched “categories” created by the judges.
1:00-3:00 am: Try to ignore your screaming legs and remember why you’re there.
3:00 am: Drag show — a DM favorite. Have a great laugh as these macho men borrow clothes, accessories and tutus from the ladies in attendance and strut their stuff on stage.
4:00 am: Silent disco, another DM favorite. Everyone wears headphones that play different songs and dance along to them. Take your headphones off for another good laugh as people dance to music only they can hear.
7:00 am: Lip sync. Watch the top three organizations (that performed at a previous date) put on a skit revolving around their child related theme (i.e. Monsters Inc., Harry Potter, Disney).
9:00 am-12:00 pm: Enjoy performances by acapella singing groups, the FSU circus, the Marching Chiefs, FSU cheerleaders, and the majorettes.
12:00-2:00 pm: You’re in the home stretch. Get ready for closing ceremonies and the immense sadness you now know you’re going to feel when this is over.
2:00-3:00 pm: Rave hour! When the Civic Center dims the lights, take out your glow sticks and go crazy with the crowd.
3:00 pm: Do the line dance for the last time and then sit on your butt! You did it! The money you, your organization, and all of FSU have raised will be donated to FSU College of Medicine and the nearest Children’s Miracle Network hospital (which is Shands Hospital in Gainesville) for all the research, surgeries, and medical bills of young children with various health complications. You’ve changed lives, but they’ve also changed yours.