Displaying items by tag: SHMD

Thursday, 07 March 2019 14:09

South Glens Falls High’s Arcade Themed Danceathon

Photos by SHMD Photos/GusCarayiannis.

South Glens Falls — For 42 years the South Glens Falls High School has hosted a Danceathon to raise money for charity organizations and individuals in need of assistance. This year, $837,859.97 was raised and will be distributed among 70 recipients.

Organizing the dance marathon is truly a school community effort, to say the least. The organizers consist of South Glens Falls High alumni, teachers and students. A lot of work is done outside of the regular school day regarding fiscal needs, registration, music, and decorations. However, the school has found ways to incorporate the dance marathon into the curriculum the week prior. Science classes teach tiedying, and the physical education classes aid in choreographing the closing dance.

The student body heavily influences the dance marathon from choosing the theme to selecting the recipients of the funds raised. This year’s Arcade theme idea came from student Olivia Barber. Everyone was encouraged to dress in vibrant colors and decorations complimented vibrant lighting, in an effort to simulate arcade video games and lights.

Over 200 applications from organizations and individuals were entered in order to receive aid from the funds raised at the danceathon. Who will receive aid is decided among students who voluntarily participate in these selections. The students spend time reading through several synopses on the applications and vote for the recipients.

There have only been two years in the history of the Danceathon where they did not raise more money than the previous year. Attempting to do so isn’t the overall goal of each year’s danceathon.

“We try to de-emphasize that (raising more money than the previous year) because the money is not what the important thing is,” said Thomas Myott, one of the event’s faculty coordinators.

Myott believes that “one of the things that makes this so successful is that the people who are involved are here for the right reasons.”

The fact that this dance marathon has been taking place for 42 years is a representation of not only the dedication to service that South Glens Falls High School possesses but how dedicated the community is to help serve each other.

South High Marathon Dance 2020 already has a date set. It will be held on March 6 and 7, 2020 for another year of community service.

Published in Education

$831,191 Marathon! SHMD Impacts the Community and Beyond

[Photos provided]

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Beginning in 1978, South Glens Falls High School has hosted a marathon dance to raise money for local families and charities in need. Raising $1,500 that first year, which was donated to a local EMS Squad, every year the numbers have climbed, resulting in $831,191.15 in 2018. High school students in grades nine through twelve gathers for 28 hours of dancing for a crowd that fills the entire bleachers.

Donating to a dancer is not the only way to contribute; vendors, raffles, and silent auctions also fill the school and donate their proceeds. At the end of the dance, awards are presented to the students who raised the most money, the raffle awards, the live auction, and the highly anticipated tally of the money raised.

“What struck me this year was really how many different school districts and businesses outside of South Glens Falls participate and have fundraisers for Marathon. It’s as if for this one incredible weekend, all the surrounding communities are united as one- united as Bulldogs. I was a student co-chair for the Marathon from 2009-2011 so I remember how much work goes into the dance and how dedicated the students are to make sure it is the best Marathon for our recipients,” said Kelly McFarlane, an alumnus of South Glens Falls, via email.

“I’ve been photographing SHMD since around 2001 or 2002,” said photographer Gus Carayiannis, “and it never ceases to amaze me to see and feel the passion and energy the students have for the marathon dance. They really form a unique bond with the recipients that is beautiful to see each year, and it makes you realize that they are becoming equipped to do some pretty special things when they leave high school.”

With 42 recipients in 2018, $831,191 will go a long way. According to one recipient, The Family of Austin Naylor, during the application process, applicants are asked to specify an amount and the reason it is needed. Each recipient gets their money directly deposited into an account with their name on it.

“We requested $30,000 for a wheelchair-accessible van that can be a reliable and safe vehicle for Austin to travel in and one that will last as many years as possible,” said Crystal Irwin-Naylor, Austin’s mother.

Austin Naylor was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in April 2013.

“I felt amazed and excited at the dance and what they do for people who are in need,” Naylor said.

Irwin-Naylor says her son now shows “a great interest in volunteering at the dance every year from here on out.”

“I love getting to reunite with past recipients and hearing their stories of how the dance gave them hope and strength when they needed it most. As individuals, we sometimes think that we can’t make a difference, but this dance shows that every single person makes an impact and together we change lives,” McFarlane expressed.

Published in Education

South High Marathon Dance

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Beginning on Friday, March 2 and running through Saturday, South Glens Falls High School presents its traditional 28-hour marathon dance. High school students and alumni raise money for local people and charities in need. South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) began in 1978 with 50 dancers and raised $1500 for a local EMS squad. Since then, SHMD has grown exponentially over the years, raising more than $823,000 in 2017. Since this dance began 40 years ago, over $5.6 million dollars has been raised.

A list of this year’s recipients:
Alzhiemer Association
Angel Names Association
Bridging People And Places
Captains Youth and Family Services Family Service Assn. of Glens Falls
Glens Falls Area Youth Center
Jay Honsinger
Keyon Jace
Marshall Moreau Community Center
Nick’s Fight to be Heald
Foundation Rebuilding Together
Saratoga County Spina Bifida Assn. of NE NY
The Ben Osborne Memorial Fund
The Family of Adam Powers
The Family of Ashley Young
The Family of Aurora Bombard
The Family of Austin Lane
The Family of Austin Naylor
The Family of Brandy Palmer
The Family of Brian Washburn
The Family of Brock Lescault
The Family of Bryan Watkins
The Family of Carmella Childs
The Family of Cora Rosa Gagrano
The Family of Dan McCane
The Family of Elizabeth Porter
The Family of Fawn McCall
The Family of Heather Palmer
The Family of Ingrid Engelhard
The Family of James Doriski
The Family of James Manning
The Family of Jason Fuller
The Family of Jennifer Park
The Family of Joseph Brown
The Family of Kimberly Bartlett
The Family of Lexi Beecher
The Family of Lorraine Powers
The Family of Rhyan Towne
The Family of Steve Gillingham
The Family of Tabitha Wren
The Family of Thomas O’Sullivan
Woofs for Warriors