This school year, Westfield High School Dance Marathon students have raised an impressive $117,347.30 for pediatric cancer research.
“I hope students experience how important it is to give back to those in need. I hope they understand the impact that a few people gathering for a great cause can have,” says Sarah Gibbs, co-sponsor.
Dance Marathon was originally founded by Jill Stewart, a student at Indiana University in 1991, in honor of Ryan White, an advocate for AIDS research and awareness who contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion. Since then, colleges and high schools around the country have established Dance Marathon programs and have raised hundreds of millions of dollars benefiting local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
Sarah Gibbs started the Dance Marathon club at Westfield High School in the spring of 2016 when she was approached by a few community members and former alumni who were involved in their collegiate program about starting a Dance Marathon at WHS. “As an IU Dance Marathon alum myself, I was excited to bring the model to Westfield High School,” says Gibbs.
Westfield Dance Marathon went on to raise a record-breaking first-year marathon event amount of $36,130.17, and in 2022, Westfield High School earned the Best High School Dance Marathon Award.
Westfield High School Dance Marathon is a nonprofit, student-led organization focused on raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer research, where all proceeds benefit the Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research at Riley Hospital for Children.
In addition to their Dance Marathon event, Westfield High School Dance Marathon fundraising efforts include car washes, IBeach beach volleyball events, a Color Run in September, Battle of the Bands in November, Dine to Donate events at multiple local businesses throughout the year, selling merchandise, and new this year, trivia nights and Elf on the Shelf kits.
“We raise money throughout the year for our main event, our Marathon, in February. It supports all Riley kids and specifically goes toward supporting pediatric cancer research,” says Hannah Yoder, a senior co-president and two-year member of the exec team.
“All donations go directly to the Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, where they support pediatric cancer research at Riley. Each new finding helps not only research as a whole, but also directly introduces new treatments for our Riley families. Truly, every dollar counts when it has the power to make such a difference for Riley kids and kids worldwide,” says Emerson Dierkes, a senior co-president and two-year member of the exec team.
The Westfield community plays a vital and instrumental role in supporting Westfield High School Dance Marathon through generous donations, volunteer support and sponsorship efforts.
“Sponsorships, volunteers and donations are a huge way the community has supported Dance Marathon. Without their generosity, our event would not be possible. Our volunteers — from admin, family, friends and other high schoolers — help run our event. They assist with food pickup, supervision, sign-in and anything else we need support for. Sponsorships made up a huge proportion of our total, with just under $20,000 in corporate donations, plus more with in-kind donations. Sponsors are how we pay for and run our event with operational costs and are a great portion of our total. Volunteers, donors and sponsorships are pieces of our always-moving puzzle, and we couldn’t be more grateful and appreciative of them,” says Hannah Paterson, a senior co-president and two-year member of the exec team.
The Dance Marathon event was held Feb. 14, and for the paid ticketed event, students get a night of fun with food, drinks, entertainment, dancing and more.
“For the event, participants are assigned to color groups with their friends and given shirts to match their color. The color teams compete through the night with hype checks and games, with the losers being pied in the face and the winners getting bragging rights and a trophy. Throughout the event, participants go to four different stations. These include silent disco, food, games and jazzercise. This year, we also had a trek race. In between these stations, they listen to the stories of the Riley families and play large-group games such as tug-of-war and relays. They also learn a three-minute line dance throughout the night so that we can dance for the kids who can’t. Participants can earn fundraising incentives throughout the night, which vary each year. This year, we had bracelets, T-shirts, stickers, phone wallets and fanny packs. Toward the end of the night, we play ‘Angels Among Us’ and stand in a large circle, holding candles to honor the kids who lost their hard-fought battle. Shortly after that, we announce our winning color group, and we hold up our total,” says Jillian Pilcher, a senior, a two-year member of the exec team and vice president of morale and promotion.
To these students, Dance Marathon has been an impactful experience they will never forget.
“Hearing our Riley families’ stories has been one of the most meaningful experiences during my Dance Marathon experience. Riley provides an incredible community and support for patients and families, so being able to see how the money we fundraise directly impacts them and helps them in their time of need is so special,” says Hannah Yoder.
“Before our final total reveal, the entire executive team met up, away from the event, and had a moment to reflect on our efforts this year. It was really special to have that small time to celebrate and take in our hard work, and it made the total reveal and my last high school Dance Marathon even more special,” says Emerson Dierkes.
“There are so many different moments throughout my time with WHSDM that have shaped the person I am today. One of the most meaningful was my final Dance Marathon. Experiencing my last total reveal, my last line dance, last time listening to ‘Angels Among Us,’ last time pieing people in the face — it was a series of bittersweet lasts, during which I was able to reflect on the four years of work I have done and admire what a group of young philanthropists and two generous mentors can put together,” says Jillian Pilcher.
“Dance Marathon is an amazing organization, and we’re making real impacts, but without the support of each other, I don’t think the whole event would be possible. I wouldn’t have chosen my second family to be from and with anyone else,” says Hannah Paterson.
Even though the students are done fundraising for this school year, any funds raised will be included in next year’s total. The club will soon be electing a new “prez board and exec team” who will have the opportunity to start fundraising.
“There are so many things I hope students take away, but most of all, it is perspective. Learning about the challenges our Riley kids and families face on a daily basis helps our students not only appreciate the lives they have, but also what a difference their work can have on their neighbors and fellow humans,” says Jennifer Yoder, co-sponsor.
For the community looking to get involved, reach out to Westfield High School Dance Marathon on Instagram @WHSDM or email the school organization at whsdm@wws.k12.in.us for more information.
