LIFE

High school dance marathon raises $14,000

Ida Thompson

Two high schools joined in university efforts to raise money for Shands Children’s Hospital and FSU School of Medicine last weekend with a dance marathon at Leon High School’s gym.

The Leon/Maclay High School Dance Marathon held Saturday raised over $14,000 “for the kids.” Lead by Elyse Thompson of Leon High School and Annie Criser of Maclay, the students put their feet to work when they decided to raise $10,000 to add to the FSU Dance Marathon’s annual fundraising efforts. Over 125 High School kids surpassed their goal by 40 percent and raised over $14,000 for kids who can’t dance. Half the proceeds go to Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville and half comes back to the community by going to the FSU School of Medicine, Pediatric Indigent Care program.

Elyse, a junior at Leon and class president had Leon students dancing for Betsy Fisher, her AP Psychology teacher whose adopted son was treated at Shands this past year for cancer.

Marshal lost his leg, but was able to come to the dance and have fun with the kids at the event. Betsy Fisher missed a lot of work this school year, to accompany Marshal to chemotherapy treatments and the eventual amputation of his leg at Shands Children’s Hospital.

Annie, a senior at Maclay High School, was dancing for her sister, Callie Criser Hugo, who had been treated at Shands Children’s Hospital for Annie’s entire life. Callie received a double kidney/pancreas transplant two years ago and now at 27 is married and cured and was able to attend the event and support sister and all of the HS Dance Marathoners.

The FSU Dance Marathoners were present to lead the line dances and dancing contests.