STETSON UNIVERSITY RECEIVES 2021 MARATHON PROGRAMMING AWARD

“For the year of 2021, Stetson University’s dance marathon, Hatterthon, celebrated its fifth year as an organization on campus. Entering this year along with the global pandemic, it was a process of adaptability and innovative thinking that led Stetson University Hatterthon to success for the day of Dance Marathon event. Hatterthon carefully followed the guidelines and regulations required by Stetson University throughout the year and was given the honor to be allowed to put on the first large-scale event on campus. The ultimate goal of Stetson University Hatterthon’s dance marathon event was to bring together the community for the first time of the year as well as gain more support and presence for our fifth-year program.

Driven by our goal to bring the community together, we decided to go bigger than previously done before. We changed our venue from an outside location to taking over Stetson University’s Carlton Student Union, a location that is the heart of campus that includes the dining hall, student/faculty lounges, conference rooms, and offices. Each room had activities that included letter writing, cornhole, ring toss, drawing table, photo wall, and educational boards of the hospital and Dance Marathon. We built a central balloon wall in the center of the CUB to represent the fundraising United. We kept our favorite traditions, for example, the gong rotated around the rooms to allow for everyone to experience it.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, there were two shifts to select from. Both shifts remained consistent in the activities offered so all members can retain the same experience. The timeline of the main event began with the line dance demonstration that was broadcasted onto the televisions in each room at once as well as a miracle story. The entire in-person stage was broadcasted into each room to maintain social distancing.

The hours were broken down by three high-level activities that inspired many of the participants’ competitiveness. The two activities of “Minute to Win It” and “Failed it” challenged teams to compete in popular games of cup stacking, mummy wrapping, and ping pong ball, with the ultimate prize of meeting with a miracle family during the main event. These group challenges took place in central rooms that were broadcasted to the color rooms. The final hour included the infamous silent disco, where participants could dance and sing along to the various channels of music, created by Hatterthon. The fundraising pushes throughout the main event were a great highlight as well, drawing in people to obtain Disney tickets and matching donations.

Ultimately, the main event was a great success all thanks to the community within Stetson University. Even with food regulations, we thanked our participants by distributing food from local donors as they left. The power of the community was greatly demonstrated, and we are incredibly honored to have given all a space to come together and support Dance Marathon and the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.”