SHU-A-THON’s first 24-hour Dance-A-Thon takes place, on Friday, April 3 and continues Saturday April 4 in McKenna Gymnasium at Seton Hill University (SHU). The doors will open at 6 p.m. on Friday and will conclude on Saturday around 7:30 p.m.
By Bethany Merryman
A&E Editor
SHU-A-THON’s first 24-hour Dance-A-Thon takes place, on Friday, April 3 and continues Saturday April 4 in McKenna Gymnasium at Seton Hill University (SHU). The doors will open at 6 p.m. on Friday and will conclude on Saturday around 7:30 p.m.
The money will benefit the Children’s Institute in Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization providing individualized pediatric services along a broad continuum.
Although SHU-A-THON is not directly affiliated with the well-known THON at Penn State University, a sophomore and treasurer of SHU-A-THON, Stephen Wittuck said, “We aren’t affiliated with THON but we are using ideas from their event to promote SHU-A-THON and have a similar theme of HOPE.”
At the event, SHU-A-THON will have bands, like Masters of the Universe, a family hour with participation from kids and family members of the Children’s Institute in Pittsburgh, and a performance from SHU’s Dance Club.
Teams of two or three people will dance and participate at the event. SHU-A-THON is unsure of the number of people dancing, due to late registrations. “We are hoping for a large number of students and faculty at our event,” said Wittuck.
One of the dancers, sophomore Katie Lemon, is representing the Student-body Activities Council (SAC) and said, “The event is a really great idea, which Emily Heinicka (SHU-A-THON’s president) imagined, for a good cause and it should be a lot of fun.”
Lemon also discussed SHU-A-THON’s other event, the 5K run and said, “I know that all the people involved with SHU-A-THON have put a lot of hard work into the event and deserve the SHU community’s support.”
The Dance Club is performing “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga to “keep the dancers energized and motivated during the more difficult hours,” said Dance Club president Jess Florian.
“We want to perform and it’s for a great cause that many people aren’t aware of, so I think it’s important that SHU-A-THON is receiving appropriate recognition for what they are doing,” said Florian.
Wittuck also explained, “Support from the SHU community would be greatly appreciated to keep the dancers motivated and any donations or pledges would be welcomed for the cause.”
Students, faculty, and Greensburg community members may go show their support at the event with a $2 donation at the door.