Dancers pack momentos, socks, hygiene items

Cooped up in the White Building for 48 hours dancing the night -- and the day --away, the dancers of the 1998 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon are bringing some personal items to help them get through the weekend.

"I have a white polar bear that I am going to bring for me,in case it gets lonely," said Ziringer (sophomore-kinesiology).

Kelly Grant, a dancer for Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, 101 South Cooper, said she is certain that she will over pack her cubbie, a small compartment provided by the committee for personal items.

"I over pack for everything," said Grant (sophomore-accounting). "I am sure that I am going to be one of those people with their stuff all over the floor."

It is difficult for the dancers to pack everything they need for the weekend, said Meggan Gower, overall Office of Physical Plant chairwoman for the dance marathon, (senior-Spanish secondary education), because the cubbies are small.

Melissa de Beer, a dancer for Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, said she plans to pack a lot of socks and T-shirts to change into.

Because she is not allowed to shower, de Beer (junior-special education) said she plans to bring many outfits and about 20 pairs of socks to feel refreshed and invigorated.

Also, she said she plans to bring various powders, soap and shampoo.

Although the dancers can store almost any type of personal items in their cubbies, Gower said "illegal" items such as watches or foods with caffeine or sugar in them are prohibited.