Student Niner Media will host “Dance ’Til You Drop: A Fit Body for a Fit Mind,” a dance competition and fundraising event on Saturday, Jan. 26.
From 6 to 10 p.m., solo and partnered dancers will compete for a variety of prizes. The event will take place on the third floor of the Student Union; admission is $5 for individuals and $8 for partners. A drawing featuring tickets and autographed memorabilia from the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Charlotte Checkers, Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Charlotte 49ers will be held with all proceeds benefiting University Meadows Elementary School.
Andrew Baker, student media treasurer and a sophomore communication studies major, spearheaded planning for the event, coined the event title and the theme “A Fit Body for a Fit Mind.” Baker started the planning process in June 2012 and was supported by student media colleagues Kelly Merges, Wayne Maikranz, Pete Hurdle and Mark Haire.
“We dove into fundraising work for the first time in our history,” Baker said. “The goal of this particular event is to promote fitness for children at a young age. I really want to promote the idea that, by having younger generations become more physically fit, we can help them become more mentally fit as well.”
Monies raised from “Dance ‘Til You Drop” will be used to purchase brand new sports equipment for University Meadows. Baker said the school’s principal was “ecstatic to be a part of the event.”
“When I started preparing eight months ago, I never expected the support we’ve received,” Baker added. “All of the sports franchises in Charlotte have donated tickets and memorabilia, and many other organizations made contact with us to be a part of the event. The amount of support we’ve received has really amazed me.”