D S, A R G CON ENIORS s 6-15 S e
RALLYING ’TIL THE END The men’s tennis team finishes its season
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May 9, 2019 — Vol. 97, Issue 15
2 million miracles ... and counting Dance Marathon leaders explain why they keep setting the standard nationally for per-capita fundraising to help ailing children by DARBY CALLAHAN features editor
Over the past 14 years, Loras College Dance Marathon has raised more than $2 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. It’s another milestone for the Loras program, which continues to turn heads with hugely impressive per-capita fundraisers year after year. For a decade, Loras has stood at the top of the national rankings for the amount of money generated per student. Loras’ program helps pay for various services centered on the families of children who are experiencing a major health crisis. In 2015, the Dance Marathon funded a playroom in the perioperative services waiting area of the children’s hospital. Dance Marathon raises money for regional Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals that are treating children battling life-threatening illnesses. Each year, hundreds of Loras students raise money throughout the year. This year’s total was announced after when students danced from noon to midnight on April 27 during “DM 14.” The total this year: More than $200,000. The money raised makes a huge impact on the families, said senior co-president Paige Bildstein, “The past year has been a very enriching experience to be able to watch a team of Du-
photo by VALERIE HERBST All members of dance marathon pose for a picture with their grand total after dancing 12 hours straight. All proceeds went to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
hawks come together to raise awareness for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. This year, we had set the goal to be able to create 2 million miracles collectively in Loras College Dance Marathon’s 14 years. It was through our commitment to the kids that we were able to make that milestone happen for Loras College Dance Marathon. Being able to celebrate all of our hard work with the people who matter most- our miracle kiddos and their families — was a great end to my four years being involved in Dance Marathon.” Co-president, senior Brook Boddicker
stated, “There is nothing that we, as college students, can do to worsen the lives of parents who have been told their child will experience terminal illness and everything that comes along with it. We’ve been told time and time again that alone is the worst pain a parent can feel. There are things we can do to make their lives better, though. “On Saturday, we set out to enhance these miracle families’ lives by fundraising for them, listening to their stories, and spending a day of fun outside the hospital with them,” he continued. “It’s important for kids to ex-
Honors group pursues a new tradition: DuGood Dance
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DuFest After Dark is in full swing by CORA SHEFCHIK staff writer
by AUDREY MILLER staff writer
DuBuddies isn’t the only group on campus focused on inclusivity for those with disabilities;. A senior honors group has spent the past three years planning, executing and celebrating a dance for disabled individuals: the DuGood Dance. “The DuGood Dance aimed to be an inclusive dance for individuals in the Dubuque community who have disabilities,” said senior Patrick Costello. “Additionally, our group aimed to encourage the use of inclusivity, whether it would be in language or the false social stigmas of ‘can’t do’ rather than ‘can do’ for these individuals.” The DuGood group consists of six seniors, all with complementary educational backgrounds, including Costello, a biochemistry major; Noah Schoaf and Alex Schiavoni, elementary education majors; Ashley Holtz, mathematics; Rachel Prendergast, public relations, and Ian Lenke, marketing major. Based on their diverse academic backgrounds and corresponding strengths, each group member assisted with a different portion of the project.
perience happy and healthy childhoods, and even if these kiddos aren’t always healthy, that doesn’t mean we can’t give them the happiness they deserve. “Seeing how happy the kids were over the 12 hours we were dancing is an indescribable joy. Seeing a group of college students care so deeply about their happiness was just as heartwarming. I hope each dancer, and the dancers before them, take pride in the difference they have made. Loras College Dance Marathon has made over $2 million worth of miracles for the children’s hospital
photo courtesy LORAS COLLEGE HONORS GROUP Members of a seniors honors group discuss their DuGood Dance project aimed at helping disabled people.
“We each brought a different perspective,” Costello explained. “For example, I would help with the research, Rachel communicated with our community partners, Ian and Ashley worked with the finances and writing grants, and Alex did a little bit of everything. Noah worked on setting up some fundraising events for us, too.” The group has been very successful and is planning on hosting their third annual DuGood dance this spring. Members of the group were quick to note, however, that organizing such an event is not without obstacles. “There was a lot of red tape in order to host the dance on campus,” Costel-
lo said. “This included fundraising, grant-writing, establishing community partners, and building relationships. Additionally, when first preparing for the dance, we had to define who our demographic would be. Who would be invited? What is a disability technically defined as?” The DuGood dance has catered to many members of the Dubuque community over the last three years and has provided a fun evening for many invitees and Loras students who attended the dance. This year, the DuGood dance took place in the ballrooms on the evening of Wednesday, April 3.
Every weekend, College Activities Board (CAB) puts on events that range from bingo in the pub to tickets to Escape Rooms across town. Every fall, there are a few special events such as Loras After Dark during the first weekend of the school year, Winter Fest the week before Winter Finals, and Comedian Daniel Franzese from Mean Girls. On Monday, May 6, students started celebrating Spring Fest, where there’s an event every day for students to de-stress and take a step back from studying for a little bit. On Monday, they had a free promo pass out which included reusable straws, sunglasses, and chap stick with a key chain. Tuesday, there was a free cookout by the Byrne Oak apartments. Wednesday, they brought musical acoustic duo Brother Brother. Today, they will host a Video Game Tournament in Keane Hall. Friday, they will be doing their final CASH CAB of the year, with a special event at the end of the day. Last year, CAB started a new tradition called DuFest After Dark on the final Friday of the semester. This event shares a resemblance to Loras After Dark but with even more activities. “When I saw how popular it (Lora After Dark) was I asked Veronica Kelly about hosting another Loras After Dark event at the end of the year as a sendoff and she ran with it.” said Brinton Vincent. There will be food and license plates/street signs like last year. There will also be many games and activities to receive tickets for the raffle drawings, which includes inflatables, foot darts, bumper cars, caricatures, and more. Everything is free, and the event will be held in the ACC parking lot on Friday, May 10, from 8-11 p.m.
