»Philip Sparn and Charles McCrary
Students and members of the APSU community danced the night away in APSU’s second annual dance marathon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network on Friday, Feb. 8.
This year’s dance marathon raised $8,105.05, surpassing last year’s $5000. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Monroe Carrel Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Teams of five to 10 and individual participants danced or at least kept themselves upright, from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. in the morning. 
One hundred people participated in this year’s student organized dance marathon hosted by Student Life and Engagement. The contestants danced but they also participated in yoga routines and played Twister along with other games.
Nationally, dance marathons for the Children’s Miracle Network raised $9 million in 2011 and have raised over $50 million since 1991, according to Marcus Brown, senior business marketing major and internal director for the dance marathon.
“It is all for the kids,” Brown said. “The kids that benefit from this event are our main motivation.”
Victor Felts, director of Student Life and Engagement, points out the event is not only for a good cause, but “the dance marathon gives students a chance to cut loose and look foolish without being judged.”
Five families with children being treated at the children’s hospital spoke for the cause and encouraged the dancers during the marathon.
The music was provided by a live disk jockey and at the end of the event, winning teams were chosen, according to funds raised and enthusiasm shown at the event. Marina Pacheco, senior physical fitness major, was the top fund-raising individual and Alpha Delta Pi won the team fund raising contest, according to Brown.
“The dance marathon was very successful. There was a great turnout and we raised a lot of money for Children’s Miracle Network,” Brown said. “We look forward to doing it again in the upcoming years.”
