Her Campus had the opportunity this week to talk to Paige Aresco, a junior in the business school here at Michigan. We asked her about her time spent with Dance Marathon, most recently as a member of the Event Management Committee. Dance Marathon is an awesome student-run organization that raises money for pediatric rehabilitation programs at C.S. Mott and Beaumont Children’s hospitals. Throughout the year, dancers are able to meet and build relationships with the families they are helping, culminating with VictorThon, a campus-wide even where students dance for twenty hours to show support for the kids and raise more money.
Her Campus: How did you get involved in Dance Marathon?
Paige Aresco: I joined the Gamma Phi Beta Dance Marathon team my freshman year. I had seen the DMUM recruitment team all over campus, and I figured it would be a fun and impactful organization to join. I loved my experience freshman year, which is why I have gotten more involved in the organization.
HC: Why do you love Dance Marathon?
PA: I love the relationships you are able to build with the DMUM families. It is extra motivating to see first hand who the money we are raising helps. At the VictorThon, it is amazing to see how many students are passionate enough about the kids to stand for 24 hours.
HC: What was your favorite event or memory from Dance Marathon?
PA: My favorite Dance Marathon memory is one of the bonding events my team had with our family last year. We went to Lucky Strike in Novi and had lunch, played arcade games, and bowled with our family. It was a great opportunity to get to know our family better, and it was also a nice way to spend more time with the girls on my team.
HC: What is your role this year?
PA: This year I am on the Event Management Committee. We are in charge of planning the layout and other logistical aspects of VictorThon. We are also currently working on planning Under the Lights, which is our annual fundraising gala in December.
HC: How can our readers still get involved?
PA: Yes! Registration for Dance Marathon is still open, and you can go to dmum.org to sign up. You can join with a student organization or by yourself and be placed on a team where you can meet new people!
HC: Do you really have to dance the whole marathon?!
PA: Contrary to popular belief, we do not have to dance during the whole VictorThon. We do learn parts of a line dance about every two hours, and at the end of the 24 hours we put the line dance all together. The line dance is so fun, and it is my favorite part of VictorThon.
HC: What else are you involved with on campus?
PA: I am also involved in Michigan Business Women as the Co-VP of Ross Engagement. I am the Co-President of Student United Way, which is a community service organization. I am on the Greek Week Executive Committee as the Rules and Points Coordinator. I also love playing IM Basketball.
HC: What’s something you’ve always wanted to do while at Michigan?
PA: I still need to feed a squirrel! I can’t believe I have been here for two and a half years and still haven’t done that!
Images courtesy of Paige Aresco & Kelsey Henjes.