Marathon Dance begins today
MOREAU, N.Y. >> Helping local residents, from 100-year-old World War II veteran Joseph Chaplek to children with serious medical conditions, can be a life-changing experience.
Just ask the 800-plus kids taking part in this weekend’s 40th South High Marathon Dance that kicks off Friday with a goal of surpassing last year’s $762,153 fundraising total.
Since its inception in 1978, the event has raised more than $5.5 million for worthwhile causes. More than three dozen recipients have once again been selected by students organizing the dance. The list includes non-profits such as Moreau Rescue Squad, and people battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
“It teaches you to put others ahead of yourself,” said Aidan Stewart, student co-chairperson.
“No matter how bad you think you have it, there’s always somebody worse off and they manage to put a smile on every day.”
This year’s theme is “Dancing Through the Decades.” In gym class, students have been practicing a 15-minute dance routine with hit songs from the ’70s to today. The dance is also being held in honor of the late state trooper Timothy Pratt, a 1979 South Glens Falls High School graduate, who was killed last fall in a tragic accident. Pratt helped out at the dance by providing volunteer security duties for many years. His sister, Mary Belair, who has multiple sclerosis, is one of this year’s recipients.
High school senior and co-chair Jessie Stewart said videotaping recipients prior to the dance is one of her favorite parts of preparing for the event. Taped interviews with recipients will be shown during the dance, so participants can hear their story and how appreciative they are of the students’ help. Like many South High alumni, Jessie Stewart said she plans to stay involved no matter where college and career takes her.
“It’s the best thing you can ever experience,” she said. “I’ll definitely be coming back.” Dan Albert, a 2001 graduate, is one of three main adult advisers along with teachers Tom Myott and Jody Sheldon. Albert, who works for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Albany, is responsible for all security surrounding the dance.
“It’s amazing how it’s evolved,” he said. “It’s never stopped growing. At times people have said, ‘How much bigger can this get?’ Just simple things, like staggering lunch break shifts, has kept it well organized. We have hundreds of alumni that return every year to volunteer.”
“Really it’s a team of people,” Albert said. “It’s kind of like a family.”
Co-chair Matt Steeves, a high school senior, has taken part since eighth grade. More than 80 percent of the student body participates. All dancers are required to help with the fundraising.
“Every year I go doorto-door in neighborhoods,” Steeves said. “This year I went to Saratoga, Glens Falls, Queensbury and South Glens Falls. I don’t just ask for money. I explain what the dance is and what it’s for. Sometimes people in other communities are a little hesitant. But when I leave at least they know what the dance is all about.”
Some fundraising recipients live in other town and villages outside South Glens Falls Central School District. Recipients vary from year to year and are chosen by a student selection committee. Steeves said fundraising has been greatly enhanced by online donations that can be made at the dance website — www.shmd.org — and through social media. Quite often now, relatives and friends of students from outside the area support the cause, too, he said.
Students spent Thursday getting the school’s gymnasium ready by putting up large signs and decorations. Students came in during last week’s midwinter vacation and after school to make handpainted signs that stretch the entire length of gym walls.