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Franklin students dance for a cause By Natavia Howell
natavia.howell@franklincollege.edu
Franklin College will hold its first ever Riley Dance Marathon sponsored by Franklin College track and field at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Fitness Center. Freshman Jaime Robbins, the project leader, said this event is about raising money and awareness for Riley Hospital for Children. “Riley is a nonprofit organization and it never turns a family away because of an inability to pay,” Robbins said. “Without causes like Riley Dance Marathon, that wouldn’t be possible.” There are more than 70 high schools and colleges in Indiana that hold Riley Dance Marathons. Robbins said when she got to Franklin, she was surprised it didn’t have one of its own. Robbins said participants cannot sit down during the six-hour marathon because they stand for those who can’t. There will be games, a line dance and food from places like Fazoli’s, Noodles and Company, and Dominos. During the event, a Riley patient will tell his or her story every hour.
“(The process) has been very exciting,” Robbins said. “When I got to Franklin I knew I wanted to start a Riley Dance Marathon so I did everything I could to make that happen.” There isn’t an official organization yet, but she said there are 10 directors, who each have about five committee members, and two assistant project leaders. They’ve already done several things to raise money for Riley, such as holding a fundraiser at Late Night and having a percentage night at Applebee’s. Robbins said the goal is to raise $5,000 for Riley in the end. Although money is a big part, she said it is not her main goal. “It’s more important to me to raise awareness than to raise money because with awareness comes money,” Robbins said. “Riley is an amazing place and people need to know about the wonderful things they do.” Being a Riley Kid herself, Robbins will tell her story at the marathon. She has multiple heart
conditions that have caused her to be hospitalized many times, staying for as long as three weeks. This summer, she had open heart surgery to put a pacemaker in. Freshman Sarah Ramon, the co-director of morale, said she did a Riley Dance Marathon in high school and loved it. “For the first year, I just want people to come and see exactly what Riley Dance Marathon is and know that the main cause of this is to help Riley kids,” Ramon said. Sophomore Kayla Hammelman, an assistant project director, said she has been through the experience of starting a Riley Dance Marathon because she started one her junior year of high school. Her passion for Riley came when her friend was diagnosed with leukemia and she saw how much Riley impacted her life. “Riley makes you feel like a kid, not like a patient,” Robbins said. “Even if I’m in pain or if I’m having a tough day, they do every-
thing they can to make me feel okay. They genuinely care.” Robbins said although this is the first year Franklin College is holding a dance marathon, she hopes it continues to grow in upcoming years.
“(The process) has been very exciting. When I got to Franklin, I knew I wanted to start a Riley Dance Marathon so I did everything I could to make that happen.” Jaime Robbins, freshman and founder of FC Riley Dance Marathon
Singing competition to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital By Paige Clark
paige.clark@franklincollege.edu
Franklin College students will sing in a friendly competition to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. TKE Idol will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Custer Theater in Old Main. The singing competition is similar to FOX’s “American Idol.” Contestants are nominated to represent different clubs and organizations on campus. Contestants, or their organizations, pay a $25 entry fee while spectators pay $3 to attend the event. All proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude conducts research and provides care for children with catastrophic diseases. It is a non-profit medical corporation. Tau Kappa Epsilon also held a Penny War event in the Napolitan Stu-
dent Center this past week. Students donated money to give points to the different organizations competing in the singing competition. All of the money donated also goes to St. Jude. “I was happy with the turnout last year,” senior Shawn Fogleman said. “But I hope it will be bigger this year.” Fogleman held the vice president position at TKE last year and created the event to help raise money for St. Jude and showcase the talented students of Franklin College. “I’m not sure if the other TKE chapters do the event,” Fogleman said. “Some schools do a Greek Idol though, and that’s how I got the idea.” TKE did not have a large philanthropy event before TKE Idol. Fogleman “wanted to get
(TKE) an event that we could hopefully grow with time.” Last year, the fraternity raised around $400 for St. Jude. Sophomore Evan Downey, vice president of TKE, said he hopes to exceed that amount this year. “It was successful last year, and everyone said they enjoyed it, so why stop a good thing?” Downey said. “Everybody likes to see their friends perform something, and so when you have every Greek organization nominate people, the turnout is normally pretty outstanding.” Downey is in charge of the event this year. “As of right now, there are eight people, but I am still waiting to hear back from a few so hopefully more by the time of the event,” Downey said.
Junior Jesse Hamilton won last year for Sigma Alpha Epsilon after showcasing his piano and vocal talents. He is unsure if he will compete again this year. Runner-up and junior Ann Gilly will also be competing again for her chance to be the next “TKE Idol.” She will represent Kappa Delta Rho. “Get your vocal chords loosened up and help us Save Those Kids,” Downey said.
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March 21
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