by NAOMI DOSHI Staff Writer
Spanish Honor Society held its annual dance-a-thon and fundraiser for cancer on February 28 to benefit Avery Moskowitz, a young girl with neuroblastoma cancer, and senior scholarships for the Honor Society.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Leukemia Foundation. Students can donate to the fundraiser, which started during the beginning of February, until Friday, March 14 during Block 3A.
Avery, who is only three years old, lives in Monroe Township. In July 2013, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that originates in the nervous system. It is most often found in infants and children. She has already gone through many chemotherapies and hospitalizations.
On her website, averyandherbravery.org, people can donate $5 or more to her family and receive a bracelet. Avery’s family tracks her progress on their Facebook page.
This is the second year that the Spanish Honor Society held a dance-a-thon. Last year, the proceeds were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year, however, they decided to donate to Avery instead because the school store was already donating to Make-A-Wish.
Ms. Beth Wolk, co-advisor for the Spanish Honor Society, also mentioned that she thought students would be encouraged to donate if they could “put a face to the receiver,” especially because Avery lives right here in Monroe.
Last year, the dance-a-thon pulled in around $1,000 and a cafeteria full of dancers. This year, they raised slightly less – about $800.
Senior Brittany Friedson, President of the Spanish Honor Society, said, “This fundraiser is important because it allows the school to come together and help people in our own community in a fun and positive way!”
This is the sixth year that the leukemia fundraiser is being held, and it has been successful in previous years.
This year, the homeroom class that donates the most will win a pizza party, and the runner up will win an ice cream party. The Honor Society will pay for these parties from previous fundraisers, so none of the money from this fundraiser will be used for the parties.
The dance-a-thon also offered prizes. During the five-hour event, breaks were given at the end of each hour. Between these breaks, the Honor Society looked for the most enthusiastic and longest lasting dancer, who won a $100 gift card. This year’s winner was junior Michelle Barclay. Two $50 gift cards were given to runner-ups.
The dance-a-thon was from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Cafeteria B. Tickets cost $15 and included pizza, snacks, and water.
In addition to the ticket price, the Spanish Honor Society encouraged dancers to get sponsors to raise more money. The dance featured the MTHS Dance Team and a DJ, who played Spanish music to help spread Spanish culture.
Freshman Pooja Pandya said, “Any opportunity to help others is an opportunity worth taking, even if it’s something as unique as a dance-a-thon fundraiser.”
This dance gives students a chance to have fun, be with friends, and help a local cause without stressing about the cost of dresses or tuxedos. With this much fun ahead, will you be dancing for cancer next year?