On the night of the It”s On Us Zumbathon, the International Ballroom was full of bright lights and loud music. Participants matched the mood of the room by wearing tutus and light-up shoes. Students, faculty and Moscow community members gathered Friday to work up a sweat while raising money for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse.
The zumbathon, put on by the University of Idaho”s Wellness Program, has been held every year for five years, but this year Fitness and Wellness Director Peg Hamlett said all the proceeds would be donated to Alternatives to Violence in the Palouse for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Tess Fox | Argonaut
Instructors lead the first dance of the Zumbathon Friday in the International Ballroom of the Bruce Pitman Center.
Emily Moora, a second-year geology major, said she liked the enthusiasm of everyone participating, and commented on how she especially liked the colored lights.
Over the course of the event, the crowd only grew. The music and lights drew in spectators who stood by the door of the International Ballroom and watched the dancing – some even came in and joined the crowd.
Assistant Director of Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse Emilie McLarnan said the level of enthusiasm from everyone was really valuable. She said it”s important to get people engaged in such a serious topic in a positive, fun way.
McLarnan also said how important donations are for ATVP. She said that donations go toward the unrestricted funds and can be used to help their clients that don”t fit under the specific sections of help that the ATVP offers.
The instructors typically stayed onstage while they performed the dances, but now and then they would jump down and dance in the middle of the crowd, inspiring a roar of cheers from those in attendance.
Participants were encouraged to come on stage to dance side-by-side with the instructor, and walked out of the International Ballroom wiping sweat off their brows, smiling ear to ear.
Marisa Casella can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @marisacasella1