The Spanish Honor Society will be holding their annual dance-a-thon for charity on Friday, February 23. Unlike previous years, the dance will have a theme “Bajo el Mar” or under the sea.
Co-advisor of SHS Mrs. Natasha Carannante said, “The Spanish Honor Society picked under the sea because we are going to have air swimmers that are large fish swimming around and we’ll have other fun activities related to the theme, and not related to the theme.”
In previous years, the dance-a-thon has been a competition on who could maintain the best dancing throughout the five hour event. This year, the event will have more activities for students to participate in after they have been eliminated or do not particularly like dancing. For example, ping pong tables will be set up in the Commons for students to use during the dance-a-thon.
Attending the dance will cost $20 per person. The majority of the proceeds will go to Operation Smile, a nonprofit organization that provides free surgeries to children in developing countries with facial deformities, such as cleft lip and cleft palate. A smaller portion of the proceeds will go toward senior scholarships.
Winners of the dance-a-thon will receive Visa gift cards. The amount will vary for first, second, and third place.
Freshman Dominick Dzietczyk says, “I’m excited to see what kinds of dances they’re going to do, and overall what kind of experience they create.”
SHS inducts students who have maintained excellent grades in Spanish II or above in the previous year. Students are expected to maintain the qualifying grade, have a clean discipline record, and go to all fundraisers, events, and meetings in order to remain in the society.
Mrs. Carannante said, “The Spanish Honor Society serves many purposes. First, to give students a sense of belonging, a sense of community, a place for students to meet and hang out that love the language and culture. It also gives students the opportunity for scholarships… opportunity for community service, and an opportunity to raise money for charities.”
Every year, SHS provides scholarship opportunities for juniors where they can win a trip to a Spanish-speaking country. Seniors can apply for scholarships as well.
The two advisors for SHS are Mrs. Carannante and Ms. Beth Wolk. The society also consists of a board of students who are leaders of the club.
Meetings for SHS generally revolve around the events and fundraisers that they participate in for the school and the local and Spanish-speaking communities.
The most recent event SHS participated in was a fundraiser at Chipotle. The money raised went toward charity and senior scholarships. They also participated in Haunted High School in October with a Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead themed room. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday dedicated to remembering friends and family who have passed away.
Freshman Sukrut Oak said, “I enjoyed the Día de los Muertos theme. There was a colorful and joyful mood, and it truly looked like they were having a fun celebration. I look forward to their next event, the dance, because I know they will put together something that will be fun and wonderful for everyone.”
How do you feel about the recent changes made to the annual dance-a-thon?
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