Windermere High School Dance Marathon reveals financial goal

The Windermere High School Dance Marathon Executive Board revealed their financial goal for the 2021-2022 school year at the school's football game on Friday, Sept. 10.

At halftime, the executive board entered the field and announced a goal to raise $105,000 for the Children's Miracle Network dance marathon campaign. 

Since the opening of the school in 2017, WHS has partnered with the program to work on a year long campaign that challenges students to fundraise for the health of children across the country, according to Evan Brengal, the SGA instructor at the school. 

"As the year goes on, the students on this board not only seek to raise funds, but educate their peers and community about the struggles children at these establishments go through, and how their dollar can truly make a difference," Brengal said. "This comes together at their year-end Dance Marathon event where the group dances and celebrates without sitting for the entire night as a symbolic representation of standing for those who cannot."

WHS students have raised over $300,000 for CMN since the beginning of the program. 

Maddie Hayes, senior executive director of Dance Marathon, said she chose to be a part of the program because of her younger brother who was transferred to Arnold Palmer when he was born. 

"I have always wanted to be a part of something bigger than me and have an impact on an organization helping children," Hayes said. "Dance Marathon was the perfect opportunity for me to achieve all these wishes and serve a greater cause."

Ashley Paek, assistant executive director, said her experience with Dance Marathon the past few years has been incredible. 

"Being a part of this cause has opened my eyes and let me be a part of something bigger than myself," Paek said. "Through Dance Marathon I got to see what our support does for these families and how their lives have been changed for the better."