Avani Narula ’21

DANCING FOR A CAUSE: Students dance to raise money in 2018; though this idea has continued, Danceathon’s format has changed. Photo courtesy of Courtney Brinkerhoff-Rau.

Danceathon this year has been changed to the winter ball. Instead of having the K through 12 tradition with dancers and donor pledges to raise money for CHOP’s leukemia fund, EA is having a winter formal on February 22nd. Each ticket is worth 15$ and all proceeds will go to CHOP. The dance is now being organized by a student run club which makes it easier to plan. Kelly Edwards, the faculty advisor for the dance, explains, “They started the club in September which has been really nice because instead of getting 15 kids that did the Danceathon J Term, now we have like 90 kids that can help organize the dance.”

The change from Danceathon to a formal was made on account of a variety of different reasons and the creation of the club was one of them.  Danceathon had an issue when J term got moved to May Term because the Danceathon J Term could not plan the dance anymore. Morgan Bramwell ‘21, a member of student council and last year’s Danceathon J Term, says, “It is difficult to get things done and to have a sense of organization without the J Term so as a club it is easier to plan a formal.” A major issue contributing to the planning of the formal is fundraising issues with the business office. Scottie Crockett ‘19, one of the heads of the planning club for the formal, states, “The difference between last year and this year was that the business office changed their process of how they allow fundraising to happen. The office thought they were asking parents for a lot of money and adding Danceathon on top of that is too much.” Michael Letts, head of Upper School, further explains this matter, “A lot of families felt like they were required to buy a T-shirt, make a pledge, and sponsor a dancer which is a lot to ask for. We felt like it would be better to still have the dance to support CHOP, but only use the the ticket sales and not the additional things.” In addition, students expressed more interest for a winter dance then a Danceathon. Edwards addresses this matter, “The students felt that there would be more interest and excitement around doing danceathon if it was a winter dance.” Crockett elaborates on Edwards statement by mentioning that the senior class has been wanting a formal in addition to their only dance which prom.

This change to Danceathon will last as long as it is successful. Crockett explains that “It is in the hands of the class of 2020. We have to see how this year goes, if it goes well then we keep doing it and if not then we do something else.” Edwards mentions the same idea. “We just have to wait and see how it takes off this year.”

Many students and parents have expressed their concern and dislike of the new danceathon. Letts explains this further: “I know that [the change] upset many people but I think it’s what’s best for our families and our students. Families should be free to support the organizations they want to outside of Episcopal, but when we get involved, it gets very muddy.” Adam Oliva ‘21 explains his concern with the new formal: “Danceathon used to be relaxing and you would wear comfortable clothes and now we have to get dressed up.” Some students have described how they feel obligated to go to the dance in order to give money to the cause. Chris Lo ‘21 expresses his concern with the dance being open to all of the Upper School “It never works to have all four grades going to the same dance in a small, crowded area.”

Other students, however, are looking forward for a change. Erica Feehery ‘21 states “I am excited to attend the new winter formal because I was not very involved in the Danceathon last year. To me having the formal or the Danceathon does not matter as much as long as the donations go to a good cause.”