Dance Marathon at FSU: English majors can participate in a science-related creative outlet and fundraise for a great cause

By Lilliana Solovay

As an English major on the editing, writing, and media track, I always look for ways to express my creativity while furthering my academic journey. Volunteering for a philanthropic organization may not seem to require creativity, but this could not be further from the truth.

In order to fundraise for any organization, a person must effectively communicate the cause and its needs and make connections with sponsors and other potential donors. Dance Marathon at FSU is no different.

Active at FSU since 1995, Dance Marathon is the largest student-run organization on FSU’s campus, with a mission of this organization is to spread awareness and raise funds for children in need of pediatric medical care, specifically for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Beneficiaries of the fundraising include the FSU College of Medicine Pediatric Outreach Program and UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

This year-long initiative ends with a 30-hour marathon, with students staying on their feet to raise money for those who cannot. The 2023 marathon began March 3 and ended on March 5, but the fight for pediatric care never stops. This year, DM at FSU raised a grand total of $1,308,578.28.

Most members in this organization are in STEM-related majors. That academic connection may not be a surprise as CMNH is related to medical care, which falls within many science-lovers’ research and coursework. Students outside of these majors have fallen in love with the organization, however, including Recruitment Chair Olivia Schwartz.

Schwartz is an English-Literature, Media, and Culture major, and she is on the executive board of Dance Marathon at FSU. Schwartz joined the organization while in high school and has been involved with the cause throughout her three years at FSU. She graduates in the summer of 2023.

“When moving to Tallahassee and furthering my education, I knew that my DM journey wasn’t over and I was able to find a community to support children with pediatric illness at Florida State through the recruitment team,” Schwartz says, acknowledging this as her “why Dance Marathon” response. Other students explain their “why Dance Marathon” reasons on many platforms, including social media, the organization's website, or in person at a Dance Marathon event.

Kiersten Maxwell graduated from FSU in the spring of 2022, with bachelor’s degrees in English-Editing, Writing, and Media and risk management. During her time at FSU, Maxwell was a member of multiple clubs and organizations, including Dance Marathon.

Throughout her first year, she was a dancer for the Kappa Delta sorority team, and for the next three years Maxwell participated on the Internal Team of Dance Marathon. Maxwell joined the Morale team her sophomore year and continued with this position until she graduated.

“I tapped into my creative side and helped to create the line dance that’s performed at the top of every hour,” Maxwell says.

Dance Marathon at FSU is one of many ways for students to express their creativity on campus, whether they design new social media posts to gain donations, create video highlights, or even write about what this cause means to them.

Do not let the medical emphasis of this organization deter you from joining, because everyone truly has a place at DM at FSU.

Lilliana Solovay is a senior double majoring in English-Editing, Writing, and Media and political science. She is a Recruitment Coordinator for Dance Marathon at FSU, and she is working in the Spring 2023 semester as Internship Coordinator for the English department's writing/editorial office.

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