Bloomington South students preparing to dance the night away during Riley fundraiser

On Apr. 6, 2024, over 1,000 Bloomington High School South students will come together to participate in one of the largest, most inclusive, and most anticipated events at the school, Dance Marathon.

Throughout the state of Indiana, high school and college Dance Marathons engage student leaders to drive year-round fundraising for Riley Children's Health hospital in Indianapolis. Riley is Indiana’s only comprehensive children’s hospital, with pediatric specialists in every field of medicine and surgery.

The marathon’s statewide motto is “this generation fighting for the next,” emphasizing the impact participants aim to make.

Last year, Bloomington South Dance Marathon (BSDM) raised $106,736.17 for Riley and organizers aim to raise even more this year with the focus being on improving community reach. Since the event started at Bloomington South in 2006, BSDM has collectively raised over $1 million.

The event will last six hours, beginning at 6 p.m. and concluding at midnight in the main gymnasium. During that time, participants will enjoy live music, food, games, line dancing, basketball tournaments, and the main attraction: listening to Riley families share their stories.

So far this year, BSDM has organized several fundraising activities such as a color war, a volleyball tournament, and multiple dine and donates.

On March 29, from 6 to 9 p.m., BSDM will hold a carnival for younger children in the community. The event will feature activities including games, face painting, dancing, and more. Elementary students, younger siblings, and families are invited to attend the carnival in the main gymnasium to show their support for Riley.

Bloomington South senior and BSDM president Teagen Bullock has been hard at work ensuring all events are well-coordinated and communicated. The message Bullock hopes to convey to the community is “whatever donation, large or small, a penny to $100, truly does make an impact.”

Bullock has been dedicated to fundraising since elementary school for causes he feels passionately about. He has supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, local food pantries, and companies that produce solar-powered hearing aids. Bullock felt BSDM was “the best opportunity for [him] to be able to help as many people as [he] can.”

Bullock’s sister has a rare autoimmune disease that must be closely monitored, and gets treatment at Riley to make sure everything is level.

“Because of that, I've been in (Riley) and seen the stuff that they do. I can confirm that everything Riley does is how people say it is. They are that awesome,” Bullock said.

Senior and BSDM publicity vice president Suttun Cunningham, who will be attending medical school at Indiana University, said, “My goal in life has always been to help people.” She sees herself working with kids, possibly becoming a pediatrician. She views her participation in BSDM as an extension of that goal.

Joe Doyle, the club’s sponsor and Bloomington South assistant principal, tells the group throughout the year, “It's the best place you wish to never go.”

Cunningham added, “The strength of the doctors and the children and the families at Riley Hospital is something we should all carry with us every single day.”

For Bloomington South sophomore Sarah Olavarrieta, Dance Marathon is a cause close to her heart.

Olavarrieta was born with a rare craniofacial condition called Craniofrontonasal Dysplasia. She was born without a fontanelle, the "soft spot" of a newborn baby’s skull that is important for the normal growth and development of a baby’s brain and skull.

Olavarrieta had her first surgery at Riley to treat her condition at 4 months old. Though she can’t remember that first surgery, she has strong memories of growing up with her family expressing their gratitude for the Riley staff and how they were patient, kind, and helpful.

Olavarrieta spoke at BSDM in 2022. It marked the first time she shared her story by herself and occurred 9 years after she first attended the event. Her sister became a part of Dance Marathon as a Bloomington South student in 2013, and ever since, Olavarrieta has been a supporter, participating and raising money every year.

“I always feel safe and welcome (at Riley). Riley is a special place for me because it gave me a chance to be healthy,” Olavarrieta said. “The more people know about (dance marathon), the more people donate money and kids like me can have better care. I always look forward to (going to the dance marathon) and (spending) time with (other) kids that have (been treated at Riley).”

If you’re interested in donating to Riley courtesy of BSDM, you can do so online at https://events.dancemarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=6019.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington South Dance Marathon happening April 6