There are many fun events that take place at Plant High School, including prom, homecoming, the school talent show, blood drive and even senior nights for athletes. However, this year a new event has been introduced to Plant: Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is a special addition to Plant’s schedule because it combines different activities and games with the goal of raising money for charity and helping those who are less fortunate.
“I came up with the idea to bring Dance Marathon to Plant because when I was a kid I almost didn’t make it, however, because of the amazing doctor’s and programs that brought funding to St. Jude’s I was able to get the help I needed,” said Charlotte Morris (11).
Morris was given an opportunity that many kids at St. Jude’s and other children’s hospitals aren’t able to afford, this means that Dance Marathon was not just another event for students to hangout or get community service hours but instead it gave them a chance to make a real difference for children in need.
“I first got the idea to do Dance Marathon from Charlotte Morris, she has been pushing me to have PAC do this event since last year, so this year I thought it would be an amazing opportunity for Plant to give back to the community and it’s children’s hospitals.” said Jenise Gorman.
Gorman is a teacher at Plant High School, though she mostly teaches AP Capstone seminar. Gorman is not only a teacher but also a critical part of the extracurricular activities here at Plant, she is the coach of the Girl’s cheerleading team and the teacher sponsor for the Panther Advisory Council which is a club of students that are dedicated to serving Plant and it’s community.
This shows that not only is Plant’s student body dedicated to serving the Tampa Bay community but also Plant’s staff as well, Gorman and Morris coordinated this event together to make the wish to help these kids a reality.
“At first, I mainly only went to Dance Marathon because I am in PAC and had to help for the club, however, it was actually a lot of fun, there were many games that I got to play like pickleball, ping pong, cornhole and even spike ball,” said Gavin Cordero (11).
Gavin’s experience at Dance Marathon reflects how many students’ opinions can change by experiencing Dance Marathon, it stands out from other school events because it actually has activities and goals that can keep students engaged and involved at this event.
Though this was Dance Marathon’s first year at Plant, the event was a success in creating a fun experience for students and reaching its goal of raising money for charity. In fact, Dance Marathon raised more than $5,000 for those in need, and Plant does not keep any of the money.
It is already becoming clear that this event has quickly gained popularity among students. Dance Marathon has the potential to become a lasting tradition and an opportunity for Plant to continue serving its community for years to come.
