This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Northwestern chapter.
Name: Sarah Thompson
Age: 21
Hometown: Sudbury, MA
Major: Learning and Organizational Change
Years danced in DM: 2 (Freshman and Sophomore)
For those who don’t partake in DM, what does your job as Dance Marathon Emcee entail and how have you been preparing for it?
My partner in crime, Brad McCandless, and I will be the ones onstage for the 30 hours, responsible for communicating any necessary information, pumping up dancers and keeping the energy high! For the past few months, we’ve been getting to know children from Blessings in a Backpack, working with the Productions Committee to produce exciting videos, and hosting many NUDM events. To prepare, we’ve been training, cutting out caffeine, practicing our dance moves, picking out costumes, and sleeping as much as possible!
What is your favorite part of the DM process, fundraising ahead of time or dancing?
Being in the tent for sure. It’s a time where so much of campus comes together and forgets about the stresses of everyday life to focus on something bigger. No one’s in there worrying about their next midterm. Everyone’s just focused on one goal and supporting each other along the way. And that’s pretty unique.
What is the hardest part of the DM process?
The hardest part is probably those blocks in the middle when exhaustion starts to hit. But these moments are only temporary, and the highs during those blocks—when your favorite song comes on, when you get to meet one of the heroes, hear an incredible speaker, or have a friend come to visit—always give you something to look forward to.
What’s your best advice on completing all 30 hours?
You’re not in it alone—make friends, and rely on each other for support! Make sure to help others get pumped up when they’re down. It’s a team effort! Also…Advil and clean socks.
What is your favorite memory of being in the tent?
Disclaimer: This is cheesy. My favorite memory is from freshman year at the final reveal. All the seniors on my team burst into tears…and then I burst into tears. We were all crying uncontrollably and couldn’t stop. We were so proud and happy and tired and united. It’s hard to control your emotions after dancing for 30 hours.
Do you have to dress for each block and which block costume are you most excited for?
For a few of the blocks, everyone gets T-shirts to wear. But for most of the blocks, yes. Getting into costume adds a whole new layer of fun to DM. I’m pretty excited to see what people pull out for Middle School Dance. Just hoping it doesn’t smell too much like Axe and Warm Vanilla Sugar Body spray.
What song do you hope gets played?
Sorry by Justin Bieber…I could listen to this on repeat for the rest of my life.
What song are you dreading?
Sandstorm is hard for short people…
What’s your go-to dance move?
I’m a big fan of the running man.
What are you looking forward to most during your 30 hours in the tent?
Throughout the past few months, we’ve gotten to know a lot of the children that benefit from Blessings in a Backpack. They are so wonderful; they’ve got bright futures and are so grateful for what we’re doing. I’m looking forward to having them onstage to dance and play. They deserve it!