As Dance Marathon continues to release new updates each day it draws closer (it is scheduled for Feb. 20), both the Senate and the House continue to meet deadlines. In the past few weeks, the Senate office has been finalizing corporate sponsorships, layouts and scheduling, as well as upcoming activities.

According to Senate sponsor Michelle Foutz, the finalized activities scheduled for when students aren’t on the dance floor consist of the creation of the traditional banner with handprints, arts and crafts, a free dancing competition, among other activities as well.

“We also plan on having a few young speakers from Riley Hospital, which is always well-received by the dancers,” Foutz said.

However, Dance Marathon isn’t the only thing on Senate’s agenda, senior Olivia Roy said. In light of the large earthquake and its aftermath in Haiti, Roy, who has traveled to the country once before on a mission trip with her church and is hoping to travel again this summer, worked with the Senate to organize a school-wide fundraiser which concluded on Jan. 29.

“I talked to Principal Williams, and he set me up with Mrs. Foutz and the Senate,” Roy said.

Roy also said that because of the constant fundraising for Dance Marathon and less time advertising on the announcements had the turnout a little less than what she expected. However, Roy said she remains hopeful. “It’s been a little hard right now with everything, but we really needed to get the money to Haiti as soon as possible.”

Roy said she looks forward to running another fundraiser in the future when more emphasis can be put on it, but next time she hopes the fundraiser can be geared toward supplies instead of money.

In addition to Dance Marathon and the recently concluded fundraiser for Haiti, Senate looks forward to a full spring-semester schedule.

“After Dance Marathon is over, we’re going to focus more on school-wide activities,” Foutz said. “We have Brain Game starting up in February and then March Madness. And of course we’re going to have appreciation weeks to recognize teachers, custodians, and cafeteria workers throughout the semester as well.” By Beverly Jenkins <[email protected]>

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