For Morale committee members and dancers, THON doesn’t begin next weekend.
Rather, they kicked off the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon events Wednesday night with Color Wars, which was held in the Multi-Sport Facility. The event provided a series of games for dancers and committee members, said Melanie Sessa, overall Morale chairperson.
The event began with an information session for dancers and committee overalls about the upcoming THON weekend. After, Morale committee members came to officially start the night’s activities, Sessa said.
Competition will continue into THON weekend, and points will be tallied throughout, Sessa said. During THON weekend, dancers will have opportunities to take part in the jumbo Jenga game, jumbo word search and many other games, Color Wars Coordinator for Morale Committee Robbie Mitchell said.
The committee has been organizing these events since October, he said. This year, for the first time, Four Diamonds families and kids will also be allowed to participate, he said.
“Color Wars is important because it helps to keep the dancers motivated as well as the kids and families who are our No. 1 priority,” Mitchell (senior-kinesiology) said.
Wednesday’s events consisted of two relay events and a capture the clothespin game, all associated with the color given to each dancer, Sessa said.
“This event is to get dancers excited for THON weekend,” Sessa (senior-marketing and public relations) said.
Morale committees are divided into three colors — red, blue and green — when they are chosen at the beginning of the THON season, Sessa said. With their respective colors, committees were able to meet and cheer on their dancers.
One dancer, Jason Sampat, was competing for the red team during Color Wars.
“It was really exciting because it was the first event where all the dancers get together,” Sampat (senior-life science) said.
Sampat said Color Wars was a good kickoff event, because it allowed dancers and committee members to meet and get to know each other before THON weekend. He said he was able to meet fellow dancers, and that dancers were able to meet their fellow moralers on the committee.
Megan Renaut, THON media relations captain, also said Wednesday served as a chance for dancers and committee members to become acquainted before they head to the Bryce Jordan Center next weekend.
“It’s also a great opportunity for Morale committee members and their respective dancers to meet, get to now each other and have fun before THON Weekend begins,” Renaut (sophomore-psychology) said.
