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RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL, ALEXANDRA CATENA, RECEIVES 2021 CAMPUS ADVISOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Nomination by Waleska Lozada:

“Ms. Alexandra Catena, advisor extraordinaire for Dance Marathon at Riverview High School, started their Dance Marathon program in 2018, inspired by her sister’s experience as a college participant.  She wanted to provide the same experience for her students to do something impactful for their school and community.

Riverview High School Dance Marathon’s inaugural event raised $7,213 for their local CMN Hospital, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH) in St. Petersburg, Florida.  With her support and guidance, their program has grown in participants and funds raised each year, cumulatively raising $58,200 over the past four years. Ms. Catena balances teaching a full curriculum while inspiring her students to change kids’ health.  She works alongside her student executive committee and empowers them to create their own day of event programming.

Ms. Catena has also introduced creative fundraisers throughout the school year to raise additional funds and awareness of their DM program. From pumpkin decorating contests to personalized tie-dye masks the participants stay engaged throughout the year and build up anticipation for the main event.  One of her most successful and creative events was when she partnered with the Riverview HS athletic department to host a DM fundraiser during one of the basketball team’s games.  During the game, the cheerleading team also named a Miracle Child an honorary cheerleader for the game and presented her with her very own Riverview HS cheerleading uniform, and involved her in a routine.

This basketball game is also just one example of how Ms. Catena continuously works with the JHACH advisor to engage our Miracle Kids & Families not just on event day but throughout the school year.  As a result, the participants are able to create special moments with the patients and when they arrive at the event, it feels like they are already friends.  The ongoing engagement she fosters allows the participants to see and feel the impact they are making.

Many of her recently graduated participants have continued their passion for Dance Marathon and joined their respective college programs.  She has truly activated this generation fighting for the next at Riverview HS.  Even in a pandemic year full of unknowns, she understood that kids can’t wait and committed to having their annual event.  More impressive, they were able to beat their goal by 15% while having fewer participants and a hybrid event!

Thank you, Ms. Catena, for all you do, all for kids at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital!”