University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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DANCE MARATHON Dance Marathon (DM) had a simple mission with a giant goal. Senior Jessica Smith, psychology major, characterized the organization as ...one of the most well-rounded organizations on campus. It provides so much for both the people who work with DM on campus and in the hospital and in all aspects. It really benefits everybody. By gaining participation of over 3,000 students, DM held many activities throughout the year in order to raise money and help out the community. We had one of our educational events, Pediatric Ability Day, for the second annual time. We invited people involved in the organization along with other people in the community and on campus. The purpose of the event was to get the word out there about what pediatric rehabilitation is and the different available therapy programs, Nina Catklfio, junior psychology major, explained. There were only two requirements to be a dancer for DM this year. Each dancer had to raise a minimum of $250 and had to participate in the final event of the year, the marathon. The marathon consisted of an overnight celebration where dancers had to stand for thirty hours straight without sitting down. The planning committee organized many activities in order to keep the energy flowing. Chris Grapes, senior Business major, expressed, The most exciting thing that the dancers remember is that there ' s a line dance that we learn throughout the marathon. The dancers learn it in segments of one-minute songs, and they mix it together at the end. It turns out to be a twelve-to-fifteen minute line dance, which is really fun. With overwhelming support from all participants, the Dance Marathon gave money to over ten different charities and programs this year. All of the charities involved helping to improve children ' s ' physical strength and mobility. In the future, DM hopes to expand the project. In the future, we are trying to create a DM long-term project. We ' re working on this right now to create something that Dance Marathon can be really proud of. Something like maybe a wing in a hospital, or a summer camp. Anything ' s possible, Atul Porwal, senior Industrial and Operations Engineering major, described. Chris Niblock, senior Chemical Engineering major, stated, I remember at my first marathon, [a child] couldn ' t walk. He was on crutches. Then at the last marathon, he ran across the stage. And that just hits your heart. It ' s unbelievable. There aren ' t even words to explain it. Front Row: Atu! Porwal, Chris Grapes, Nupur Kanodia, Antonina Catalfio, Milind Chinog, Jessica Smith. Row 2: Laura Meili, Jessica Fachat, Bidish Sarma, Aaron Suh, Atton Davis III. Row 3: Andrea Umbach, Nicole Heins. Row 4: Christopher Niblock, Grant Weber, Priya Nandigam. Row 5: Krtstina Marie Poulos, Alison Hardin, Mandy Marburger. Back Row: Chioma Nwachukwu, Steve Kren. J.Neff photo 214 Organizations

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Production editor, senior business major Erica Margolius, works overtime looking at spreads during a deadline weekend. As a member of the managing editorial staff, Margolius worked closely with the Editor-in-Chief during deadlines and also played an important role on the Ensian Executive Board. . Neff photo Earning points for their scavenger hunt team, sophomore communications and English major Katrina Deutsch and sophomore Spanish major Sarah Aronson take a walk in the fountain outside the Michigan League. Social events were planned throughout the course of the year to keep the staff close both inside and outside of the office. N. Matntno photo ff ou6ime6 dat Front Row: Helen Wang, Lindsay Morris, Elizabeth Brooks. Back Row: ChristopheTedjasukmana, Mary Katharine Zevalk ink, Asia Griffin. L, Proux photo Michiganensian 213

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Dance Marathon members swing from trees during the group ' sTree Climbing Therapy activity on September 20.The members of DM organized tons of fund-raising events throughout the entire school year including pumpkin carving on the Diag and a Charity Bar Night. Photo courtesy of Dance Marathon A team of Dance Marathon members gathers for a group photo during their PJ Party on December 6 at theTrotter House. The organization sought to give awareness to the campus about children in need through creative and energet ic fund-raising. Photo courtesy of Dance Marathon Dance Marathon 215