By: Rylie Newman
Student Involvement – Student Writer
November 6, 2024
“We dance for those who can’t.”
The iconic tagline of Auburn University Dance Marathon has long inspired students to dance, not just for fun, but for change. As a student-run organization with over 170 active members on committee, Auburn University Dance Marathon (AUDM) is one of the largest philanthropic clubs on Auburn’s campus. They have been a vibrant part of the community since 2011.
AUDM is part of a nationwide movement that raises money for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Auburn’s chapter donates directly to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital. Last year alone, AUDM raised a whopping $356,036 and have contributed over 4 million dollars throughout their 14 years here at Auburn.
Every February, AUDM members and Auburn students gather for the “Main Event”—a 12-hour long dance marathon. This year’s theme, inspired by the Auburn creed, is “We believe in miracles and love it!”
Walking into Main Event is breathtaking. Volunteers transform the Student Center Ballroom into another world, with massive balloon arches towering over the space, vibrant lights illuminating the crowd, and of course, the centerpiece where every eye is drawn: the dance floor.
Participants revel in the electric energy of the crowd as they dance to raise money. In past years, entertainment has included Just Dance, line dancing, yoga and silent discos. Special guests appear as well, from Aubie to the Tiger Paws to Miss Auburn. The event culminates in a number-flip reveal of the total amount raised.
February Aba, an Assistant Director on AUDM’s Morale Team, shared his favorite memory of Main Event:
“I love watching the Miracle Kids enter the ballroom. They come to Main Event and tell their story. That definitely changed my perspective going into AUDM.”
Miracle Kids are the children and families supported by the funds raised. As direct recipients of Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital’s care, they are very familiar with AUDM, and love attending Main Event. Alongside participants, they dance and celebrate the night away, consistently bringing a new level of joy to the event.
Leading the charge is AUDM’s Morale Team. Divided into competitive “Color Teams,” these students are in charge of keeping energy up and encouraging even the most devout wall-flower to have fun. Throughout the night, they lead participants in learning an impressively choreographed dance, piece-by-piece, with a new part revealed every hour.
Lillian Avis, a sophomore member of the Morale Team, shares the importance of her crew. “Morale is the hype group, and I knew I wanted to be that person who was running around, screaming, jumping up and down, trying to get people excited about it. I look silly all day, but it’s just fun to make people laugh.”
Main Event may draw every eye with its exuberant energy, but it would not happen without the culmination of work put in by the AUDM team the year before. They plan, prepare and fundraise nearly non-stop. Once-a-month “push weeks” feature members out on the concourse encouraging participants to sign up and hosting fun, mini-events to show a taste of what is to come in February. According to Avis, fundraising is definitely the hardest, but most important, part of their efforts.
“It’s all worth it, because at the end of the day you get to go see the number flip over, and it’s really heartwarming to see how much the number increases every year.”
Of course, a huge chunk of the prep work for the Morale Team specifically is learning their iconic dance. They meet once a week to practice, and even though it may not be in front of a crowd with a spotlight on them, the energy, dedication and commitment never dips. Aba claims that the directors, Reed Parish and Natalie Davis, set a fun and welcoming tone for the entire Morale Team.
For students looking to get more involved in AUDM, there are a number of options. First, students are encouraged to create their own fundraising team. They can enter and give as an individual, a group of friends, a club or a Greek organization. Throughout the year, they join the AUDM team in raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network and contribute to the final number-reveal at the end.
Second, students may consider applying for the Morale Team, or any of the other AUDM teams, to join next year’s movement. Involvement with AUDM is a chance to contribute to a worthy cause while also joining a tight-knit group of friends. “Everyone is very outgoing. Everyone is always super excited to see each other. It’s always bubbly and positive. Everyone is always encouraging each other.”
Finally, students should sign up for Main Event. Students can bring friends and commit to as long as they would like to dance. Scared of dancing? According to both Aba and Avis, everyone is welcome regardless of expertise. “I was a terrible dancer,” Avis says. “I still am a terrible dancer! But it’s all really silly dances that are easy to pick up on. No dance experience is required.”
To find out more about the organization and how to get involved, visit the AUDM team on Haley concourse from 11am-2pm every Wednesday, or check out their instagram, @auburndm. You can also find out more through the AUinvolve website.
Assistant Director Aba closed with this:
“Being part of an organization like AUDM has really helped me find my community. Everyone’s there for the same reason. Everyone wants to be there. It helped me find my purpose and passion for life here at Auburn.”
Auburn Dance Marathon will continue to be a special part of Auburn’s family. Year in and year out, they bring fun and excitement to a worthy cause. But none of it could happen without the heartbeat of the event, the Morale Team, as they work to turn passion into purpose with every (dance) step.