Miss America 1988 Kaye Lani Rae Rafko visited the University yesterday to help kick off the festivities for this year's Interfraternity Council Dance Marathon.

Rafko, an oncology nurse, expressed her appreciation of the marathon's fundraising efforts at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

"It's really exciting to see a group of young people to work together as a team," Rafko said.

The Dance Marathon has raised more than $1.3 million for childhood cancer patients at the Hershey Medical Center's Four Diamonds Fund.

Rafko said she visited the Hershey Medical Center yesterday, adding that "the children were fabulous."

"(The visit) shows the relationship Penn State has with Four Diamonds," Overall Committee Chairman Jonathan Ferrara said.

Dance Marathon Committee Adviser Rick Funk made efforts to arrange Rafko's attendance at the Kickoff Dinner, Ferrara said. Funk sent Rafko a video explaining the marathon's goals and the Hershey Medical Center's Four Diamonds Fund, he said. The dinner marks the official beginning of fundraising and marathon festivities.

Sioux Vollmuth, overall reception chairwoman, said the dinner joins dancers, families, organizers and contributors. The dinner enables those involved to realize that each individual's efforts contributes to the overall goal of the marathon, she said.

Rafko explained that the video sparked her interest to become involved with the marathon, adding that she rearranged a busy schedule to assure attendance at the dinner.

"This is really important to me," Rafko said. "I wanted to be a part of it."

"She is very dedicated to this cause," Ferrara said.

Rafko said her career as a nurse is an important aspect of her life. She explained an incident in which a six-year-old child recognized her not only as Miss America but also as a nurse. Rafko said the image of Miss America is changing, adding that the position is viewed as a role model.

"Miss America is not an entertainer, she is a spokesperson," she said. "As an oncology nurse, I'm very proud to be a part of (the marathon)."