2018 Executive Board
Overall Director - Alejandra Guzman
Senior Business Analytics/Sports Management Major
" I DM because I love that we are able to see right where our efforts are going. I DM because these hospitals and our donations are a source of hope and comfort for people everywhere. The miracles that happen on a daily basis and the millions of kids whose lives have been forever changed are the most inspirational combination we know of. Being able to listen to their stories and see the kids with the biggest smiles in the room with so much hope really allows me to see that there are so many things bigger than ourselves and inspire me to do what I do. "
" I DM because I love that we are able to see right where our efforts are going. I DM because these hospitals and our donations are a source of hope and comfort for people everywhere. The miracles that happen on a daily basis and the millions of kids whose lives have been forever changed are the most inspirational combination we know of. Being able to listen to their stories and see the kids with the biggest smiles in the room with so much hope really allows me to see that there are so many things bigger than ourselves and inspire me to do what I do. "
Director Of Hospital & Family Relations - Jenny PacuriB
Senior Nursing Major
"I DM so that every child and their families know that they are not in this alone, to help give a glimpse of hope to those who need it, and so that every child has a chance to make their dream a reality one day."
"I DM so that every child and their families know that they are not in this alone, to help give a glimpse of hope to those who need it, and so that every child has a chance to make their dream a reality one day."
Director Of Fundraising - KATIE YOUNGHANS
Senior Elementary Education and Special Education
"I DM because I know what it is like to spend nights in the hospital hoping for a miracle. When I was younger, my brother was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which is an enlargement of the heart, and he needed a heart transplant. I remember how it felt to wish for my brother to get better, and how miserable it was to be stuck in a hospital day in and day out, with nothing to do but feel helpless. I DM to help those kids stuck in the hospital, because one day it will get better. Not everyone will be as lucky as my family, but I know that we can change that through awareness and support from DM."
"I DM because I know what it is like to spend nights in the hospital hoping for a miracle. When I was younger, my brother was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which is an enlargement of the heart, and he needed a heart transplant. I remember how it felt to wish for my brother to get better, and how miserable it was to be stuck in a hospital day in and day out, with nothing to do but feel helpless. I DM to help those kids stuck in the hospital, because one day it will get better. Not everyone will be as lucky as my family, but I know that we can change that through awareness and support from DM."
Director Of RECRUITMENT - tyler matulis
Senior Mechanical Engineering
"I DM because of the lasting, and life changing, impact it provides for children who are going through difficulties that I cannot comprehend. I am confident that the nation wide work accomplished by DM will continue to grow, and change the lives of children and families across the country. Knowing how young children benefit through DM Miracle Network inspires me to use my gifts for the sake of others who do not have the same opportunities that I did. Keep Dancing!"
"I DM because of the lasting, and life changing, impact it provides for children who are going through difficulties that I cannot comprehend. I am confident that the nation wide work accomplished by DM will continue to grow, and change the lives of children and families across the country. Knowing how young children benefit through DM Miracle Network inspires me to use my gifts for the sake of others who do not have the same opportunities that I did. Keep Dancing!"
Director Of entertainment - Bethany Riethmeier
Junior Criminology Major
"I DM because I love participating in service opportunities, and what makes DM so special is that you are raising money for such an amazing cause, seeing your work go straight to Lurie's to benefit the kids being treated there, and you get to experience it with your friends and meet new people, all while having fun and dancing (who doesn't love that?!). Seeing VU students unify for the kids and experiencing the passion others have for service is such a good reminder of the community we are blessed to have here. FTK!"
"I DM because I love participating in service opportunities, and what makes DM so special is that you are raising money for such an amazing cause, seeing your work go straight to Lurie's to benefit the kids being treated there, and you get to experience it with your friends and meet new people, all while having fun and dancing (who doesn't love that?!). Seeing VU students unify for the kids and experiencing the passion others have for service is such a good reminder of the community we are blessed to have here. FTK!"
Director of Public Relations - Miranda Dunn
Sophomore Marketing Major, Entrepreneurship Minor
"I got started with Dance Marathon in high school in the same position I am now. The feeling you get when how much you raise is revealed is indescribable and I will never be able to replace that feeling. The saying 'FTK' takes on a whole new meaning when you really see what you do FOR THE KIDS! I would suggest getting involved to everyone I met."
"I got started with Dance Marathon in high school in the same position I am now. The feeling you get when how much you raise is revealed is indescribable and I will never be able to replace that feeling. The saying 'FTK' takes on a whole new meaning when you really see what you do FOR THE KIDS! I would suggest getting involved to everyone I met."
DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH - DEbra miller
Junior Social Work Major
"I was blessed with a healthy childhood, and too many children are not as fortunate as I was. In high school I volunteered at a children's hospital, and it is inspiring how much creativity and wisdom miracle children have. I learned so much from them. I DM so that one day these children can freely express their creativity and wisdom without the fear and restrictions of illness inhibiting them. Health is not something a child should have to worry about, and I DM so that one day all children can live the carefree childhood I was fortunate enough to have."
"I was blessed with a healthy childhood, and too many children are not as fortunate as I was. In high school I volunteered at a children's hospital, and it is inspiring how much creativity and wisdom miracle children have. I learned so much from them. I DM so that one day these children can freely express their creativity and wisdom without the fear and restrictions of illness inhibiting them. Health is not something a child should have to worry about, and I DM so that one day all children can live the carefree childhood I was fortunate enough to have."
Morale Team Captain - Karina Calvillo
Senior Healthcare Leadership Spanish & Psychology Minors
"I DM for a number of different reasons. When I was seven yrs 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 yrs 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 CATERING - ANGELYS tORRES
Senior Criminology & Humanities Double Major
"Dance has always been an important part of my life. At 5 years old my dad took me to my first ballet class because I wanted to be just like Angelina Ballerina. If I had to define this moment, I would label it life changing. For the next fifteen years, I would continue to take dance classes, join dance teams and compete all across Illinois. At age 12, I was rushed the ER for an episode of anaphylactic shock.This means that my body was having a severe allergic reaction to something. Almost 10 years later and countless visits to Lurie's Childrens, I now walk around with an epi-pen and a diagnosis. My little episode was nothing compared to what hundreds of thousands of children battle each day. I was fortunate enough to keep dancing but there are many children that don't. So that's why I DM. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Lurie's, I'll keep dancing until I can't dance anymore or until there are no more children in CMN hospitals (which ever comes first)."
"Dance has always been an important part of my life. At 5 years old my dad took me to my first ballet class because I wanted to be just like Angelina Ballerina. If I had to define this moment, I would label it life changing. For the next fifteen years, I would continue to take dance classes, join dance teams and compete all across Illinois. At age 12, I was rushed the ER for an episode of anaphylactic shock.This means that my body was having a severe allergic reaction to something. Almost 10 years later and countless visits to Lurie's Childrens, I now walk around with an epi-pen and a diagnosis. My little episode was nothing compared to what hundreds of thousands of children battle each day. I was fortunate enough to keep dancing but there are many children that don't. So that's why I DM. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Lurie's, I'll keep dancing until I can't dance anymore or until there are no more children in CMN hospitals (which ever comes first)."
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 - jacob harrison
Junior Computer Engineering Major
"DM is inspiring! It draws different communitites of people together to rally behind an incredible cause. Everyone comes together to support the kids. Even more inspiring than the community that DM creates are the Miracle Children themselves - every year at Dance Marathon, the strength of the kids we talk to blows my mind. The more of them that I meet, the more I want them to known we are all rooting for them, and the more I want to find ways to support them!"
"DM is inspiring! It draws different communitites of people together to rally behind an incredible cause. Everyone comes together to support the kids. Even more inspiring than the community that DM creates are the Miracle Children themselves - every year at Dance Marathon, the strength of the kids we talk to blows my mind. The more of them that I meet, the more I want them to known we are all rooting for them, and the more I want to find ways to support them!"
director of dancer relations - abby larson
Senior Math and Secondary Education Major
"I DM for the kids who are stronger than I could ever imagine. From my brother being a patient at the Iowa Children's Miracle Network Hospital to meeting the Miracle Kids at Luries, I am inspired by their strength. I DM so these kids have a childhood full of hope, joy, and love. Lurie Children's Hospital is an incredible, incredible place that truly goes above and beyond for each child and family that walks through their doors. Lives are changed through Luries and I DM so many more will be changed."
"I DM for the kids who are stronger than I could ever imagine. From my brother being a patient at the Iowa Children's Miracle Network Hospital to meeting the Miracle Kids at Luries, I am inspired by their strength. I DM so these kids have a childhood full of hope, joy, and love. Lurie Children's Hospital is an incredible, incredible place that truly goes above and beyond for each child and family that walks through their doors. Lives are changed through Luries and I DM so many more will be changed."
