By Nancy Edwards
Hundreds of fifth- and sixth-graders at Fall Creek Intermediate School enjoyed an afternoon of nonstop dancing, all while donating to an important cause.
The first Falcon THON, a dance marathon, was held on May 10 to raise money for patients at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
“I feel dance marathons have such an incredible way of impacting students, regardless of their age,” said Jaclyn Renick, a teacher at Fall Creek Intermediate, who coordinated the event along with a committee of students. “All students deserve an opportunity to be a ‘miracle maker,’ and I love that Falcon THON gives them that chance.”
Renick, along with other students, know patients who are or have been cared for at Riley.
“Having the opportunity to give back to Riley is a true blessing,” she said.
During the marathon, the music periodically stopped so that students could listen to patients and families tell their own stories about being treated at Riley and how the hospital changed their lives. A nurse from the hospital also spoke about how the students’ participation in the dance marathon would make a difference for so many patients. In addition, the president of Ball State University’s dance marathon talked about her involvement with Riley Hospital and how she is taking dance marathons to the collegiate level.
Special guests such as Boomer from the Indiana Pacers and local Fishers police officers entertained the crowd and showed off their own dance moves.
A committee of 22 sixth-graders who assisted in preparing the event taught a two-minute line dance to dancers at the marathon. Teachers also joined in the fun as they ‘busted a move’ with the students.
At the end of Falcon THON, Resnick announced that $2,600 had been raised for Riley Hospital.