Key Club’s second annual Dance Marathon on Feb 24 offered hot food catered by the hour, endless raffle prizes, an inflatable obstacle course, and performances by Brookfield Central bands and local dance troupes. Each of these aspects created a school dance atmosphere unlike any other Homecoming or Spring Fling that usually attracts high schoolers.

While Mr. Bob Fuchs DJ’d the night away and fueled dancers in the middle of the Auxiliary Gym where the event was held, there was a plethora of other activities scattered around the perimeter of the gym that appealed to the many interests of the attendees. Some of these activities included the National Guard and their inflatable obstacle course, mega-Jenga, cornhole, a photobooth by photographer Margaret Brucker (‘18), and a free buffet of food options including Shawarma House, Texas Roadhouse, Chick-fil-A, and Fortune. Beyond the fun, the organizers of this event, Key Club, raised over $5,000 through ticket sales, raffles, business sponsorships, and donations.

“All of these funds are going to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to fund pediatric care,” said Emily Balding (‘18), an executive board member of Key Club. The Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is nationally ranked for its clinical care. It treats children for ailments ranging from a routine checkup to a surgical procedure. According to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, donations may benefit patients by providing the best care possible for children as well as advancing discoveries and cures for diseases.

Despite the fun, the underlying meaning and impact of the Dance Marathon was not lost among the Dance Marathoners. The first Dance Marathon was established in 1991 when students at Indiana University created the dance in memory of Ryan White, a fellow student who passed away from HIV/AIDS. Each Dance Marathon across North America is student-run and all funds go directly to local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Last year, the Dance Marathons raised over $26 million. Hundreds of hospitals and thousands of children have benefitted from Dance Marathons.

Nisha Desai (‘20), an attendee of the event remarked, “It was so amazing to see the monumental impact a group of high school students could do. It was a truly touching event.”

The Dance Marathoners also had the opportunity to meet the very patients who their donations were helping when five families spoke throughout the night. Liam Flatley (‘20), leader of the morale dance, said, “By sharing their stories and the wonderful experiences they’ve had with Children’s Hospital, the families touched the hearts of all of the Dance Marathon attendees. Most of all, they created an immense sense of community.”