2018 Executive Board
Overall Director - Jacob Harrison
Senior Computer Engineering Major
"I DM because the miracle children deserve the same opportunities as healthy children - they should get to play, to make friends, and have the chance to grow into happy and successful people. Thinking back on my childhood, I can’t imagine a serious health condition fitting into the picture. Through DM, I support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in their mission to help sick kids create a childhood that doesn’t revolve around their health problems."
"I DM because the miracle children deserve the same opportunities as healthy children - they should get to play, to make friends, and have the chance to grow into happy and successful people. Thinking back on my childhood, I can’t imagine a serious health condition fitting into the picture. Through DM, I support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in their mission to help sick kids create a childhood that doesn’t revolve around their health problems."
Director Of Hospital & Family Relations - Karina Calvillo
Senior Healthcare Leadership Major, Spanish & Psychology Minor
" I DM for a number of different reasons. When I was seven years old I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that took a toll on my childhood development. I was restricted from many things and as hard as I tried to be "normal" there are just some things you cannot put before your health. I eventually found myself having a kidney transplant in 2010 and thanks to my father I was able to make a 360 with my life and have not stopped going since. I DM because I remember what it was like to be a kid in the hospital wishing I was playing at the park or doing a sport. I dance and give my all for the kids who fight to live everyday with the hopes that someday they are going to walk out of the hospital and live a long full life. With every miracle story and every child and family I have the privilege of hearing speak I am inspired to do more, be better and hope to be as strong as these little ones. I aspire to be in the health field one day working with the future of tomorrow, and with every kid that
feels empowered to dance and smile through dance marathon I am one dance move away from making a difference.
"Dance for a day, give Hope for a lifetime"
" I DM for a number of different reasons. When I was seven years old I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that took a toll on my childhood development. I was restricted from many things and as hard as I tried to be "normal" there are just some things you cannot put before your health. I eventually found myself having a kidney transplant in 2010 and thanks to my father I was able to make a 360 with my life and have not stopped going since. I DM because I remember what it was like to be a kid in the hospital wishing I was playing at the park or doing a sport. I dance and give my all for the kids who fight to live everyday with the hopes that someday they are going to walk out of the hospital and live a long full life. With every miracle story and every child and family I have the privilege of hearing speak I am inspired to do more, be better and hope to be as strong as these little ones. I aspire to be in the health field one day working with the future of tomorrow, and with every kid that
feels empowered to dance and smile through dance marathon I am one dance move away from making a difference.
"Dance for a day, give Hope for a lifetime"
Director Of Fundraising - Lauren Kovacic
Senior Health Science Major
"I believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to have a happy and healthy childhood. Lurie's Childrens Hopsital has always had a special place in my heart since it has been a dream of mine to be a Pediatric PA at Lurie's since I was 12. Dance Marathon gives me the opportunity to dedicate my time and passion for helping children in need and giving back to my community. Dance Marathon allows the kids to get the treatment that they deserve and have a chance to become the leaders of tomorrow. I DM for them."
"I believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to have a happy and healthy childhood. Lurie's Childrens Hopsital has always had a special place in my heart since it has been a dream of mine to be a Pediatric PA at Lurie's since I was 12. Dance Marathon gives me the opportunity to dedicate my time and passion for helping children in need and giving back to my community. Dance Marathon allows the kids to get the treatment that they deserve and have a chance to become the leaders of tomorrow. I DM for them."
Director Of entertainment - Denise Arce
Junior Psychology & Social Work Major
"I DM because I have always been passionate in maximizing opportunities and resources for kids. When I step outside of my daily routine and into the lives of those families, I see how much they need each and every one of us. No matter how big or small our role may seem, to the families, at Lurie Children’s Hospital, we are their light during some very dark days."
"I DM because I have always been passionate in maximizing opportunities and resources for kids. When I step outside of my daily routine and into the lives of those families, I see how much they need each and every one of us. No matter how big or small our role may seem, to the families, at Lurie Children’s Hospital, we are their light during some very dark days."
Director of Public Relations - Christopher R Rekitzke
Junior Communication Major
"I DM because when I walk into my house I have this fun loving, always excited, thirteen year old brother waiting for me as soon as I walk in the door. His energy is radiant and infectious. He loves to sing, he loves to dance, he loves to eat egos waffles, he loves to play video games and stay up later than he should. There's thousands of kids out there just like him. There are also thousands of kids just like him that are bed ridden, hospitalized, and ultimately physically unable to get up and brush their teeth let alone dance and sing. Carter has been blessed with good health and a fun healthy life, but not every kid gets that luxury. So for all the kids who can't, I DM."
"I DM because when I walk into my house I have this fun loving, always excited, thirteen year old brother waiting for me as soon as I walk in the door. His energy is radiant and infectious. He loves to sing, he loves to dance, he loves to eat egos waffles, he loves to play video games and stay up later than he should. There's thousands of kids out there just like him. There are also thousands of kids just like him that are bed ridden, hospitalized, and ultimately physically unable to get up and brush their teeth let alone dance and sing. Carter has been blessed with good health and a fun healthy life, but not every kid gets that luxury. So for all the kids who can't, I DM."
Morale Team Captain - Lydia Spone
Senior History & Communication Double Major
"I DM because no child deserves to spend their childhood in a hospital bed, so I dance non-stop in hopes that one day they can dance with us."
"I DM because no child deserves to spend their childhood in a hospital bed, so I dance non-stop in hopes that one day they can dance with us."
DIRECTOR OF CATERING - Debra Miller
Senior Social Work Major
"I DM because I was blessed enough to spend my childhood playing sports and being carefree. Every child deserves to live a childhood like that. In high school, I volunteered at a children's hospital, so I was able to interact with miracle children every day. The patients I worked with showed me what it truly means to have strength and just how important it is that we laugh and dance our way through life, because tomorrow is never promised. Miracle children are smart, kind, caring, loving, strong, and hilarious beyond their years, and I DM so that one day they can be all of these things without an illness holding them back."
"I DM because I was blessed enough to spend my childhood playing sports and being carefree. Every child deserves to live a childhood like that. In high school, I volunteered at a children's hospital, so I was able to interact with miracle children every day. The patients I worked with showed me what it truly means to have strength and just how important it is that we laugh and dance our way through life, because tomorrow is never promised. Miracle children are smart, kind, caring, loving, strong, and hilarious beyond their years, and I DM so that one day they can be all of these things without an illness holding them back."
MORALE cAPTAIN - mAX gROVER
Senior Meteorology Major
"I DM for all those who can't. Dancing is one of my favorite activities, even though I am not the best at it. Bad dancing brings so much joy to myself and I cannot imagine a world where I would not be able to dance. Dance Marathon has an incredibly positive atmosphere where we can come together as a student body and as a community to help make a difference. Seeing the children that have benefited from Lurie Children's Hospital reminds me of the reason why we strive to make a difference. Dance marathon is my favorite event on this campus and has brought me more joy than any other event by far. I cannot wait for Dance Marathon 2018! "
"I DM for all those who can't. Dancing is one of my favorite activities, even though I am not the best at it. Bad dancing brings so much joy to myself and I cannot imagine a world where I would not be able to dance. Dance Marathon has an incredibly positive atmosphere where we can come together as a student body and as a community to help make a difference. Seeing the children that have benefited from Lurie Children's Hospital reminds me of the reason why we strive to make a difference. Dance marathon is my favorite event on this campus and has brought me more joy than any other event by far. I cannot wait for Dance Marathon 2018! "
Director of logistics - Andrew Patterson
Junior Civil Engineering Major
I dance for Sam Jackman. Sam was a close friend of mine in high school who lost the battle to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He attended Riley Children's hospital. I dance to spread awareness of how amazing the Children's Miracle network hospitals are and how great they treated my friend.
I dance for Sam Jackman. Sam was a close friend of mine in high school who lost the battle to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He attended Riley Children's hospital. I dance to spread awareness of how amazing the Children's Miracle network hospitals are and how great they treated my friend.
director of dancer relations - Sam Markovich
Junior Chemistry Major, Ethical Philosophy Minor
I couldn't imagine growing up in a hospital bed. I was blessed with a healthy childhood, but I know several people who were stuck in hospitals. I DM because I think its the least I can do to try to help the families who need it.
I couldn't imagine growing up in a hospital bed. I was blessed with a healthy childhood, but I know several people who were stuck in hospitals. I DM because I think its the least I can do to try to help the families who need it.
