NOVAdance Raises More Than $500,000 at Annual Dance Marathon

March 18th, 2023 has been marked off as being the day of NOVAdance on Villanova students’ calendars since August. It was set as the day to come together in the Jake Nevin fi eld house to stand, dance, sing and fundraise from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., in honor and recognition of Villanova’s B+ Heroes. Students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, and involved as members of the Moral Committee, Sidekicks, Engagement Coordinators, Committee, Team Leaders, Hero Liaisons and Gen- eral Participants, all came together to celebrate the work and fundraising that was done for NOVAdance this school year. The energy was high, as were the amount of energy drinks consumed.

Hour after hour, themes ranged from Broadway to LipSync to Disnelodian, and the most impactful hour: Hero Hour. This year, Hero Hour was especially special, as Villanova’s very own Brandon Gonzalez was recognized as the newest Forever Hero. His mother, Maria Gonzalez, shared a beautiful testimony, and his brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon stood in solidarity as they fundraised in honor of Brandon. Together, students and heroes stood, to remember those who lost their battle and to celebrate those still fi ghting. There was not a dry eye in the room when Joe McDonough took the stage and shared his experience.

“Being able to cry and then dance in the same [room] 30 minutes [later was] unlike any experience I have ever had, and the power of the program is very clear,” sophomore Engagement Coordinator

Colin Nemeth said. “Cancer has impacted so many more people than you can imagine, and I NOVA- dance to help families like mine. My cousin Daphne passed from a severe brain cancer called DIPG. Its research is underfunded, and the cancer is very quick and dangerous.”

Nemeth is one of many who NOVAdance for their own families. The personal connections are what help to drive motivations to fi ght for a cure and fundraise for families.

This year’s Co-Executive Directors were seniors Ally Dorsey and Shannon Kauber. Both Dorsey and Kauber have put in months upon months of work into this day.

“I have learned to

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