Community Marathons
Dance Marathon at Florida State University supports six local high schools and two local middle schools in the North Florida and South Georgia area in their Dance Marathon programs. In 2024, our K-12 programs raised a total of $358,046.53!
If you, your elementary school, your middle school, or your high school are interested in starting a Dance Marathon program, please contact Emma Wolnewitz, our Community Marathons Chair at dmfsu.communitymarathon@gmail.com.
OUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Leon High School
Years participating in Dance Marathon: 11
Leon Dance Marathon has a rich history of students as our Miracle Children. One of our favorite miracle stories is the story of Marshal Fisher, who fought through his battle as a student at Leon and came to Dance Marathon events. Just this past year, we hosted a tennis tournament in memory of his love of tennis. Marshal may have ultimately lost his battle, but Leon Dance Marathon is constantly fighting for kids like him. We could not do what we do without our incredible student body and teachers that support the cause.
Last year Leon High School raised $181,315.63 for our amazing cause. They are the second-highest fundraising high school in the country and the first in the state of Florida!
“Leon Dance Marathon is so special to me because it shows how great our community is at school. It is so comforting to know that there are so many people that care about the lives of children with health problems similar to mine.”
-Emily Novin
Chiles High School
Years participating in Dance Marathon: 10
Chiles Dance Marathon is an organization run by Chiles students to raise funds for children and their families fighting pediatric illnesses. With over 150 students registered last year, it is one of the biggest clubs at Chiles. By hosting events like Night of Miracles and Dodgeball for DM and many more, Chiles DM hopes to involve the student body more in their cause and have more students raise funds. This past year, they were able to raise $115,405.80 and are the seventh-highest fundraising K-12 Dance Marathon program in the country.
Their sponsor, Mrs. Kate Strickland, is a patient at Shands. Mrs. Strickland was born with congenital heart disease and has spent her whole life getting treated at Shands. They are so honored to have them lead their program! She is truly an inspiration to many students at Chiles who participate in Dance Marathon!
Florida High
Years participating in Dance Marathon: 9
Florida State University School (FSUS) is the local charter school in Tallahassee supporting FSU. It is a K-12th grade school with over 1,700 enrolled students. Their Dance Marathon program recently underwent serious changes in how they are able to raise money and awareness on campus, however their devoted leadership team has navigated through these new rules with one strong motivation: To fight like a kid, for the kids.
FSUS recently had one of their first official Mini Marathons with newly involved middle schoolers, at which quite a few younger students joined their movement. Though they are always working to gain more student involvement, FSUS’s Dance Marathon program definitely grew in size this past year through the work of the leadership and morale team, and their desire to improve the lives of their miracle kids and families. These families are especially close to the hearts of their members, in that Icon, Cooper, and Brynn are all siblings of a couple of our Executive Board members.
Lincoln High School
Years participating in Dance Marathon: 9
Lincoln High School is a public high school in the Tallahassee area with a student population of around 2,200. Lincoln High School participated in their first four-hour Dance Marathon in 2017, and is approaching their ninth year in 2024. In their first year, Lincoln raised more than $9,000 for the kids. This past year, they raised $17,024.91 with a group of only 30 students. While Lincoln Dance Marathon is a smaller program at the school, the students involved have the biggest hearts for the cause.
Rickards High School
Years participating in Dance Marathon: 9
Rickards High School is a ninth-year program with Dance Marathon at Florida State University. Last year, through countless fundraising efforts, Rickards was able to raise $11,074.75! They have many fun events throughout the year to encourage fundraising including sports and e-sports tournaments. As an organization their goal is to incorporate their school and community as much as possible to reach their goals. We are looking forward to seeing what this year has in store for them!
Wakulla High School
Years participating in Dance Marathon: 2
Wakulla High School is a second-year program with Dance Marathon at FSU. In their first year, they were able to raise $1,272 in just three short weeks. Wakulla High School and the surrounding community are all eagerly engaged and invested in the growth and future success of this program and organization!
