Dakotathon Unites to Support Local Children

With 12 hours of dancing, games, and memorable moments, USD students came together to celebrate Dakotathon’s biggest event of the year. Over the course of the year, Dakotathon members were able to raise $101,000 to help support children at Sanford Children’s Castle in Sioux falls. 

Dakotathon is an organization on campus that hosts events during the fall and spring semester. Throughout the year, they host events such as trivia, a carnival, a color run and more. All of these lead up to their final “Day Of” event. 

This year the event started at 8:00 a.m. and lasted until 8:00 p.m. During the big day, there are various activities that the kids and students are able to participate in. This included  games, such as Mario Kart racing, basketball, an obstacle course and a scavenger hunt. Miracle Kids got Talent, a spin off of America’s Got Talent, took place, as well as a performance from Leila’s Rose, a silent disco. 

Alongside the different activities, the students a part of Dakothon participate in activities and social media posts that help raise money during the present time of the event for the children. This year the community relations chair senior, Amelia Ruby, was able to be a part of the big day one last time before she graduates in May. 

“The Day Of is a way to celebrate our hard work throughout the school year, as well as an opportunity for our members to interact with the kids and families we are serving,” Ruby said. “This day celebrates the funds we’ve raised, but also the lives we’ve saved, lost and the kiddos who are still fighting.”

Reflecting on her past four years of being a part of this organization, Ruby is happy to share the memories she has created with the other Dakotathon members and the miracle kids.

Dancing is one of the   fun and engaging activities that occupies children. Katelin Stoebner is the Director of Morale and had the opportunity to make up the dance with two others on the executive team. The dance is for everyone in attendance and consists of mashup nintendo music and music from known kids movies. 

“It was so fun seeing our vision come to life and how much fun everyone was having with it,” Stoebner said. “Seeing all the children and families having a smile on their faces and just pure joy they all have for the day is what I love most.”

Stoebner had stressed the importance of this event for college students and what it means to be a part of a community striving to help families in need. 

“This event gives college students a time for reflection and to be empathetic to a cause,” Stoebner said. “Being able to help families through some of the hardest times in their lives is what Dakotathon strives to do to release a little bit of burden off of their shoulders.” 

Dakotathon raised over $101,000 for the Sanford Children’s Castle in Sioux Falls. At the current moment, Dakotathon has just announced their executive team for next year and are still in the planning process of future events.