When it comes to an upcoming all-night party for teens, money is no object, literally.
For the first time in its 21-year history, the annual Dance Marathon will be free to all high school students, organizers said. The event gets underway at 8 p.m. Feb. 29 and will continue until 6 a.m. the following morning at Central Middle School.
Despite its name, the 10-hour event features far more than just dancing. With a wide variety of games and activities, it has often been compared to an after-prom.
Although there’s no admission cost this year, organizers are asking high school students to bring one or more of five products: body wash, Kleenex products, deodorant, hair brushes and two non-perishable food items, according to Elijah Heslop, event chairman for Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School. These are items that are always in demand at the Turning Point Domestic Violence Services shelter, he said.
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When all revenues that include individual and corporate donations were combined, the Dance Marathon was able to raise $144,500 last year for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, a nonprofit that provides services that include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing and legal assistance for victims.
So how will organizers make up for lost revenue from admission fees? “There are over 130 event organizers within the senior classes of all high schools,” said Stephen Dishinger, prevention team director for Turning Point. “We’re asking each committee member to raise at least $100.”
Individual and corporate donations are still being provided, with companies such as Brainstorm Print and Master Power Transmission agreeing to match each other’s contributions, according to Sarah Flores, a prevention team member with Turning Point.
Removing barriers
The decision to make the all-night party free came after staff members visited local high schools and learned most of the teens they talked to had never heard of the Dance Marathon, Flores said. There were several who became excited when they learned the all-night party featured big prize giveaways, games, a variety of fun activities and plenty of food, she said.
“But when they asked how much it costs to get in, and we said $20, we learned that was a barrier for a lot of students,” she said. “Now that it’s free, money is no longer an obstacle for them.”
Special efforts are being made this year to attract more students from Hauser and CSA New Tech high schools. Both schools have not been proportionately represented at previous events, Dishinger said. Dance Marathon has usually attracted about 500 teens annually, and the goal for this year is 600, he said. “But since it’s free, I will personally be disappointed if we have fewer than 700 teens this year,” he added.
Activities and prizes
The opportunity to win expensive prizes and scholarships has traditionally been a big drawing card for Dance Marathon. This year, there will be 10 top prizes worth between $100 and $300 that include a television, Apple AirPods and Apple watches, event co-chairwoman Kara Allen of Columbus East High School said. In addition, smaller prizes worth $20 to $60 will be given away each hour.
But the most coveted prizes are likely to include the three $2,000 scholarships that will be awarded through drawings. These scholarships can only be won by seniors, who must be present to win, said Emie Kiser, another co-chairwoman from Columbus East. Funds for these scholarships are raised during the Not-So-Newlywed Game charity fundraiser held during the fall.
Many favorite activities from 2019 will be back this year such as Gaga Ball (a variation of dodgeball), volleyball competitions that include Nine Square, video game competitions, karaoke, face-painting, making friendship bracelets and, of course, dancing. Other returning favorites include yoga, self-defense classes and Zumba, an aerobic fitness program set to Latin dance music.
“A lot of people love Zumba,” Heslop said. “That’s where you’ll see the stereotypical high school jock standing next to the stereotypical high school nerd, and both are really getting into it.”
A serious message
Dance Marathon was created in 1999 to raise awareness about dating and domestic violence. Throughout the night, activities such as trivia games will be played with questions and answers about healthy relationships for teenagers, organizers say.
“Every hour, on the hour, we will have different presentations on ways we can improve relationships and ways to work on preventing dating and domestic violence without it seeming like a lecture,” Heslop said.
Nationally, one out of three teens will be affected by emotional, physical or sexual violence by the age of 18, and the problem is likely more prevalent locally than many are willing to admit, Flores said.
“We know that 80% of parents either don’t believe teenage date violence is a problem or are unaware that it happens,” she said.
Although lessons are usually subtle during Dance Marathon, survivor testimony provides some of the most powerful and compelling messages, according to Greg Lewis, a longtime Columbus East teacher who has been involved with Dance Marathon since its inception.
For example, an Indianapolis survivor of teen dating violence will address the students, Flores said. The young woman now speaks to groups across the nation not only about her experience, but also how she recovered, learned how to have healthy relationships again and became inspired to help others, she said.
There’s also the “What Were You Wearing” Fashion Show, Kiser said. It features volunteers who walk down an aisle in an outfit worn by a victim when he or she was sexually assaulted or sexually abused. Stories regarding the ordeals of the victims are told as each model walks the aisle.
“It is really a moving moment,” Kiser said. “All the kids are quiet because we’re dealing with such a serious and emotional topic.”
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The 21st annual Dance Marathon to benefit the Turning Point Domestic Violence Services will again be at Central Middle School,725 7th St.
For the first time, the all-night event that is open to all high school students in Bartholomew County will be free.
Doors will open for the event at 7 p.m. Feb. 29, with activities scheduled to run from 8 p.m. all the way through 6 a.m. Sunday.
Those wishing to attend can either register, volunteer, or make a donation at the Turning Point web site at turningpointdv.org.
There is also a link for registration at the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Instagram page.
High school students who don’t register online can still show up at the door and be admitted. However, they will need to have a parent with them momentarily to sign an appropriate waiver.
Volunteer adults are still needed to work either a 1 to 4 a.m. shift on Sunday morning, or from 4 until 7 a.m.
To volunteer, visit turningpointdv.org.
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The following high school seniors either chair or co-chair the 2020 Dance Marathon.
Kara Allen – Columbus East
Elaina Boston – Columbus North
Elijah Heslop – Hauser
Emie Kiser – Columbus East
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High school students who will attend the Dance Marathon are asked to bring one or more of the following five items:
- Body Wash
- Kleenex products
- Deodorant
- Hair brushes
- Two non-perishable food items.
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