Hope-Anne Elias is a committee member on the 2019 Public Relations Committee.
Sam Grizzle is a first-year at UNC, but this isn't his first Dance Marathon rodeo.
HE: What's your CFTK background? Have you participated in any previous Dance Marathons, and if so, when?
SG: I actually participated in a dance marathon while in high school. I went to East Chapel Hill High School, and I participated in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools’ Dance Marathon. I was a morale captain my senior year, and I had so much fun, so I decided to join CFTK!
HE: What was your favorite part about participating in your past marathons?
SG: My favorite part of my high school dance marathon was when we got to do the line dance and teach it to everyone. It was so fun to show everyone what we had been working on all year. Also, just the amazing feeling that I had as we stood was so inspiring because I knew that what we were doing supported a great cause and how standing for that length of time could help someone else.
HE: What drives you to stand for 24 hours?
SG: As a child, my sister had lots of medical issues and she had to go through back surgery. I remember being in the hospital with her and basically living there and how great it was to finally go home. Reasons like these drive me to stand for 24 hours.
Sam Grizzle is a first-year at UNC, but this isn't his first Dance Marathon rodeo.
HE: What's your CFTK background? Have you participated in any previous Dance Marathons, and if so, when?
SG: I actually participated in a dance marathon while in high school. I went to East Chapel Hill High School, and I participated in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools’ Dance Marathon. I was a morale captain my senior year, and I had so much fun, so I decided to join CFTK!
HE: What was your favorite part about participating in your past marathons?
SG: My favorite part of my high school dance marathon was when we got to do the line dance and teach it to everyone. It was so fun to show everyone what we had been working on all year. Also, just the amazing feeling that I had as we stood was so inspiring because I knew that what we were doing supported a great cause and how standing for that length of time could help someone else.
HE: What drives you to stand for 24 hours?
SG: As a child, my sister had lots of medical issues and she had to go through back surgery. I remember being in the hospital with her and basically living there and how great it was to finally go home. Reasons like these drive me to stand for 24 hours.
HE: How did you become involved in CFTK?
SG: I became involved with CFTK because of my high school dance marathon experience. I knew that when I did stood, I had found something that I loved and was passionate about. When I came to Carolina, I knew that Dance Marathon was a big event. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and make friends and memories that would last a lifetime.
HE: Do you have any pearls of wisdom for new dancers this year?
SG: I would say revel in the feeling that you’re attending this event, standing for the kids, and having fun; it’s also supporting a great cause. One of the best feelings ever is having fun and supporting an incredible cause while doing it. Around hour 20 when you might start to feel tired, just remind yourself of the reasons you're standing and why we're all here.
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The pictures shown are from Sam’s senior year in high school at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Dance Marathon. It’s so inspiring to see participants of CFTK’s outreach in the community come back full circle to UNC. Thank you for continuing your high school FTK tradition at UNC, Sam, and thank you for telling us why you stand!
SG: I became involved with CFTK because of my high school dance marathon experience. I knew that when I did stood, I had found something that I loved and was passionate about. When I came to Carolina, I knew that Dance Marathon was a big event. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and make friends and memories that would last a lifetime.
HE: Do you have any pearls of wisdom for new dancers this year?
SG: I would say revel in the feeling that you’re attending this event, standing for the kids, and having fun; it’s also supporting a great cause. One of the best feelings ever is having fun and supporting an incredible cause while doing it. Around hour 20 when you might start to feel tired, just remind yourself of the reasons you're standing and why we're all here.
----
The pictures shown are from Sam’s senior year in high school at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Dance Marathon. It’s so inspiring to see participants of CFTK’s outreach in the community come back full circle to UNC. Thank you for continuing your high school FTK tradition at UNC, Sam, and thank you for telling us why you stand!