Wednesday, March 27, 2002
EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine Middle School pupils hope to raise money as they dance the night away in the middle school gym.
Liz Sherry, middle school guidance counselor, said pupils will begin registering at 9:30 tonight. The pupils will be locked in the gym with teachers and parent chaperones until 8 a.m. Thursday.
Sherry said the lock-in dance-a-thon is an effort to promote fun, healthful activities and a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. She said pupils will receive a bracelet when they register, and as soon as they stop dancing and moving around, the bracelets will be cut off and the time recorded. Sherry said snacks are provided throughout the evening. Pupils can bring sleeping bags and pillows and rest in the bleachers if they tire.
Pupils participating in the dance-a-thon have asked family and friends to pledge certain amounts of money based on the length of time they dance. The pupils hope to raise money to fund similar activities throughout the year. A swimming party at the end of the school year has been a popular event in previous years, Sherry said.
She said pupils may simply wear comfortable clothes and shoes, but some will come in costumes appropriate for different styles of dance, such as disco, hip-hop or rock 'n' roll.