Saint Mary's Dance Marathon hosted a conference with representatives from Marian High School and Robyn Wood, Saint Mary's Riley Hospital adviser, Sunday afternoon as a learning experience for Saint Mary's associated "mini-marathon."
A mini-marathon is a dance marathon hosted by a high school that is supported by a college. Currently, Saint Mary's Dance Marathon has one mini-marathon connection with Mishawaka Marian H.S., although the club is looking to establish mini-marathons with other local high schools that are interested, Dance Marathon president Kelly Deranek said.
At the conference, Saint Mary's Dance Marathon committee members presented ideas and resources for funding and recruiting for their mini-marathon counterparts. Some of the ideas that were suggested included selling coupon booklets, having class competitions at the high school and selling apparel at the school.
Dance Marathon members also suggested ways to recruit students and promote the event, including creating Facebook groups, having morning announcements and having a presentation at an all-school assembly at the high school.
Saint Mary's Dance Marathon used their experiences with past Dance Marathons as a foundation for ideas for events the night of the mini-marathon.
Members of Saint Mary's Dance Marathon suggested popular events from the past for Marian H.S. to incorporate in their Dance Marathon, including games like "Singled Out" and "Fear Factor," as well as corn hole, refreshments and a D.J.
"We were able to come up with a lot of great ideas for the upcoming year and build a good relationship with the girls in charge of the event from Marian High School," Deranek said. "I think with the work we did today that they are on the right track to having a very fun and successful Marathon this coming spring."
