Dance Marathon shows how much Cedar Falls cares

By Our View on February 19, 2013

Our View

The Dance Marathon on Friday, Feb. 15 was a huge success thanks to the student leaders who put time and energy into planning it.

The event featured a dodgeball tournament with nine teams including one made up of UNI students and one of teachers. There was also a casino room, a giant Twister board and lots of dancing.

Senior Michael Bowden made his debut as a DJ and played music that kept students happy and moving their bodies all evening. Jud Corkery, the child Cedar Falls High School sponsored from the Iowa Children’s Hospital, turned four years old and blew out the candles on his Thomas the Train birthday cake that guidance counselor Erin Gardner presented to him.

The second annual Dance Marathon raised money for the hospital and awareness for students. Gardner estimates that about 70 people showed up for the Dance Marathon. The total amount of money raised is not yet available because donations will hopefully keep coming through next week.

More of these fundraiser-type activities should be instigated in the future. Although they are a lot of work to pull off, they are well worth it. Participating in selfless activities that aim to promote important charities is important, especially for high schoolers. Our brains are still developing and habits are still forming. If we become conscientious citizens who are involved in helpful, worthwhile activities, we will do better things as young adults and beyond. It is important to be knowledgeable about the world around us and put ourselves in others’ shoes, which is one reason the Dance Marathon is such a unique and amazing opportunity: it is for the betterment of society.

We hope the Dance Marathon tradition will continue in future years because of the power it holds in raising money and teaching students what they can do to make a difference.

Thank you to Student Senate and other leadership groups that made the event possible this year. Taking part in events that really do contribute to the health and well-being of others is something to be extremely proud of. It shows maturity and it shows charisma.