Hudson students ready to dance
By YEJI KIM Hudson High School
HUDSON — Hudson High School Student Government members and advisors, Kathleen Sfiligoj and Lisa Spaulding, have been busy the past year planning a party. The Explorathon, a six-hour dance marathon set for Jan. 19 is meant to raise money for Akron Children's Hospital and the Children's Miracle Network.
The Miracle Network Dance Marathons began with the death of Ryan White, who contracted HIV/AIDS when he was 13, and died the year before he could start college at Indiana University.
In 1991, in memory of White, his family and friends hosted a dance marathon at Indiana University, raising $10,900. By 2015, over one million people across 350 schools have participated in a Miracle Network Dance Marathon, raising over $135 million dollars.
The Kent State University Flashathon committee, whose dance marathon raised over $50,000, approached Hudson High School Student Government last year to see if students would be willing to host their own dance marathon. In the past, HHS Student Government had sponsored a Red Out week for the American Heart Association.
"Student Government has been working closely with Akron Children's Hospital and KSU to develop a plan that is unique to HHS," said Sfiligoj.
Over the past months, members have been participating in the planning the event by completing tasks assigned to specific committees, such as district outreach and refreshments, as well as advertising to the community. One of the main tasks has been getting business sponsors to offset the costs of the DJ, T-shirts, decorations, and refreshments.
"This event will bring awareness to the local support that is needed for the children in our community," Sfiligoj said.
Student Government's goal this year is to raise $2,000, and the money will be donated to the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Akron Children's Hospital.
Their Explorathon, will be in the Hudson High School Commons and Auxiliary/Main Gyms from noon to 6 p.m. Parking will be at Hudson High School, and at the event will be supervised by school administrators and faculty.
Required registration for this event can be found at https://bit.ly/2T6r8Av.
Contact the newspaper at 330-541-9433 or hudsonhubtimes@recordpub.com.