UD Miracle's Flyerthon Dances to Success for the Kids
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NEWS Former VP Joe Biden speaks at Greek AFVL Central Conference, p. 5 A&E UD Fashionista, Rose Reynolds, devulges the scope on NYC Fashion Week, p. 9 OPINIONS Sophomore Mary Mcloughlin analyzes news coverage of Opiod Epidemic, p. 12 SPORTS Senior Jenna Burdette stoically swishes 3-point buzzer-beater, p. 15 TUESDAY,TUESDAY, FEBRUARY OCTOBER 17,27, 20182017 FLYER NEWS, VOL. 65 NO. 10 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON Power to the youth: Human Rights Week students attend so- UD Miracle’s Flyerthon dances to explores the U.S. cial justice teach-in success for the kids criminal justice MADISON OLINGER system Contributing Writer LIZZIE ELWARD In President Eric F. Spina’s inaugu- Contributing Writer ral address last spring, he explained that This semester, the Human Rights serving communities and the world is a Week Committee aimed to shed light on fundamental component to UD’s mis- an often forgotten population by focusing sion. Spina concluded his address with a Human Rights Week on the criminal justice call to action, “We find that we are called system. to be—indeed, we must be—‘The Uni- Tess Golonka, the president of the hu- versity for the Common Good.’” man rights week committee, talked to Flyer On Feb. 10, eight UD students took News about the importance of this year’s a step towards this goal when they trav- theme in today’s society. eled to Case Western Reserve University “I just think the topics are especially per- in Cleveland, Ohio to attend the Social tinent today, given mass incarceration rates Justice Teach-In organized by the Inter- are skyrocketing. I don’t think it is talked Religious Task Force on Central Ameri- about enough,” Golonka said. ca (IRTF). The conference was designed The Human Rights Week Committee, to inspire students and community made up of about six members of ranging members to be active and engaged cit- UD Miracle raised $55,432 for Dayton Children’s Hospital. “Our fundraising goal for the year majors, organized the week’s programming izens, to increase their understanding of was $45,000, so this was a record breaking fundraising year for us,” said Emily Gorenc, UD in its entirety. The week managed to cover a social justice issues and to enhance their Miracle’s outgoing marketing chair and incoming external vice president. Photo courtesy of range of ethical nuances wrapped up in the leadership skills in areas such as service, UD Miracle. topic of mass incarceration. advocacy and philanthropy. Programming consisted of informa- EMMA KAPP way,” said Karly Michel, senior the event a success. Junior student, Ellie Rizzo, saw at- tional initiatives, including a virtual reality biology major. Michel was in- “I believe that every child tending this conference as a way to learn Staff Writer spired to become a member should have the opportuni- simulator. The simulator gave participants more about tangible solutions to the Sounds of the Cupid of the executive board and ty to enjoy their childhood,” a realistic solitary confinement experience, plethora of social justice issues she sees Shuffle, falling Jenga blocks served as internal vice presi- said Kevin Outwater, senior showcasing the potentially devastating ef- unraveling around her, as well as gain and chants of “FTK!” rang dent this year, a position that pre-medicine major and UDM fects it can have on people. The committee through Kennedy Union Feb. an overall better understanding of the seeks to generate awareness director of operations. “My also hosted a screening of “Prison State,” a issues themselves. 17 as UD Miracle’s (UDM) an- of Flyerthon among students dream is that one day no child nual Flyerthon took place. documentary commenting on the issues in “Every moment in our lives presents and faculty. is sitting in a hospital waiting Flyerthon, a 13-hour dance the current American prison system. us with opportunities to work towards Other executive board mem- for treatment on their birth- marathon, raises money to bers share similar reasons for day.” The week provided students with op- greater understanding, otherwise we can benefit Dayton Children’s joining this impactful student UD Miracle members portunities to learn about reform and re- fall victim to the greater misunderstand- Hospital, a branch of the Chil- organization. Their passion planned a plethora of activi- storative justice. The Human Rights Week ing of those around us,” Rizzo said. dren’s Miracle Network. The and excitement to give back ties to keep the 300 Flyerthon Committee hosted a panel presented by Rizzo referenced current social justice slogan for the event, “For the fuels their involvement. participants on their feet for the Prison Fellowship, the largest christian Kids,” or FTK, perfectly cap- issues as her motivation for attending “My cousin was treated at 13 hours. This included learn- non-profit organization advocating for tures the motivation of par- a Children’s Miracle Network ing a line dance, a salsa lesson the conference. inmate rehabilitation and restoration of ticipants. Students gave their Hospital for brain cancer and and a cardio workout session “The ending of DACA and TPS their lives post-prison sentence. Hearing all on the dance floor to give since then, I have felt the need featuring the music of Cardi programs, many Central Americans back to a cause that means so to give back and help kids like B. Performances from On the from two former inmates, a warden and are left in uncertainty, state violence is much to many people. these,” said Molly Klonk, ju- Fly, Audio Pilots and other an employer of convicts, the panel offered increasing and the #MeToo movement “When I was 9-years-old, nior intervention specialist student musicians occurred the audience a look into the discrimination shows the pervasive sexual violence that my own life was saved at a major. Klonk served as exter- throughout the day as well. former inmates face after serving their sen- Children’s Miracle Network is rampant,” she said. nal vice president this year and tence. Hospital, and I have always worked closely with Dayton Continued on page 2. wanted to repay them in some Children’s Hospital to make Continued on page 2. Continued on page 4. 2 NEWS FLYER NEWS | TUESDAY, FEB. 27 UD Miracle Flyerthon dances to success for the kids EMMA KAPP Staff Writer Continued from page 1. One could argue that the most meaningful aspect of the event was hearing from the Miracle Kids. These chil- dren serve as ambassadors for Dayton Children’s Hospi- tal and share their stories of overcoming illness. Their pure gratitude and love of life can be inspiring for listeners and can leave a profound impact. “Their stories are inspiring and really allow you to put a face to the cause,” Klonk said. Outwater agreed. “Being able to interact with the kids and hear about their Flyerthon participants danced the night away with members of UD’s commu- stories reminds me of why I nity and Miracle Kids. Pictured right is the UD Miracle committee who helped decided to join UD Miracle in run and organize the annual fundraiser. Photos courtesy of UD Miracle the first place,” he said. For some Miracle Kids, Fly- given to the hospital was re- dedicated to do everything erthon is one of the biggest vealed. This year, UDM raised FTK.” audiences they tell their sto- $55,432, a new record for Fly- Michel agreed and add- ries to. erthon and Dayton Children’s ed there has been increased “Hanna was a new Miracle Hospital. awareness of UDM, which Kid this year. She came up to Outwater believes a combi- helped fundraising efforts. me right before she went on nation of student support and “We are at a point now on stage to share her story and passionate executive board campus where students are no told me how nervous she was members helped Flyerthon longer asking what Flyerthon because she’s never told this reach and surpass its goals. is, but they are asking for tips many people her miracle sto- “When this year’s executive on how to fundraise more, and ry,” Michel said. “Just seeing board first met last April, we who’s performing this year,” her face light up when we all all had a goal of doing some- she said. “It’s truly amazing clapped for her made me love thing great. UD Miracle has to see the growth throughout UD students that much more been an up-and-coming orga- campus in the last three years can see an issue in their own termination to the cause as for rallying behind a nervous nization for several years, so alone.” backyard that they are help- ‘one generation fighting for kid who’s been through more we believed this year we could The value of giving back to ing. UDM hopes to continue the next’,” Klonk said. “We than we could ever imagine.” really make something spe- the Dayton community is not to bring awareness of the or- truly are dancing in support The true climax of the cial happen,” he said. “I feel lost on the members of UDM. ganization to campus and con- of these brave kids that are event was at the end, when the like this year we had a group By donating money and seeing tinue to grow. fighting battles we could nev- amount of money raised to be of students who were beyond the Miracle Kids, participants “We like to refer to our de- er even imagine facing.” Power to the youth: students attend social justice teach-in America and how social injus- lets regularly hosts pop-up art dents continue these conver- MADISON OLINGER tices there and in the U.S.