The Daily Iowan
Nine a.m. brought more than just breakfast to some of the dancers. Members of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority brought goody bags to their dancing sisters in a show of support.
“They are cheering us on, saying you’re almost done, keep going,” said sorority member Katie Rhodes.
The bright purple and green bags were laden with gifts, including animal crackers, gum, deodorant, Gatorade, water, and glowsticks for power hour.
The message behind the gift bags meant a lot to the sisters dancing.
“It means a lot to know that your sisters are behind you for such a great cause,” Gannon Brzoska said.
And their sorority showed up to the Big Event in force.
“We have so many people here today—there are around 30 of us here from our chapter,” Brzoska said. “I think that is the most we have ever had.”
The timing of the gift bags came at the perfect moment.
“We are just past the halfway point and everyone is starting to hit the wall,” she said. “This is a pick-me-up, knowing that your sisters have your back.”
But this sorority isn’t the only greek aspect of Dance Marathon.
“The greek community is a giant part of Dance Marathon,” Rhodes said. “Not just us but everybody is here.”
But for sorority sister Emma Goldsmith, it’s about more than just the greek community.
“It means a lot knowing that everyone in the Iowa community is coming together and fighting for one cause,” she said.
Brzoska is here for a personal reason as well.
“Personally, there was a boy that I went to high school with who suffered from a brain tumor all through high school and just recently passed away when I was home over break,” she said.
And for all the new sisters next year, all three girls say the same thing—the Big Event is a must.
“It is truly an amazing experience — you have to do it,” Brzoska said. “You have to fight through the 24 hours no matter how difficult it gets because it really is a once in a life time opportunity.”
