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Dancing 26 hours dispels notion of youth apathy

By Jorja Leap

Hindsight is always 20/20: Looking back, it’s easy to assess where individuals and nations, ignorant of major crises, have “gone wrong.” Assessing the moment is infinitely more difficult. Every day, for example, 1,900 children worldwide get infected with HIV/AIDS, yet most people do not know this.

And that’s why, as a member of the UCLA community who teaches social welfare courses every year, I am proud that many students on campus are taking action to stop the AIDS pandemic. Student organizations, including the AIDS Institute Ambassadors, the Student Welfare Commission, the AIDS Awareness Committee, Students for International Change and, most prominently, the Dance Marathon, collectively generate a definite impact on the UCLA community and beyond.

Last year, I attended the Dance Marathon for the first time and was astounded at the energy and professionalism of this student-run philanthropy. I didn’t just put on my dancing shoes, I made handicrafts; admired the beautifully made “AIDS Quilt,” a splendid patchwork of colors, creativity and emotion; listened to guest speakers; and visited various cause-related booths.

Much has been said about the “apathy of youth.” The thousands of students who have been involved with the UCLA Dance Marathon over the past five years have put that notion to rest. UCLA students now typify involvement. The annual 26-hour, student-organized dance-a-thon has raised nearly $400,000 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, making UCLA the foundation’s largest college contributor.

The event is especially notable as the largest dance marathon on the West Coast. The fifth annual Dance Marathon, held Feb. 18 and 19, was expected to be an event for the record books: unprecedented numbers of students dancing to raise ever greater funds. Both faculty and staff should support this outstanding organization by attending future Dance Marathons or by donating to the cause online at www.dancemarathon.ucla.edu.

As the mother of a 12-year-old, what I especially like about the Dance Marathon is that it’s an event the whole family can enjoy. Besides, I love to see social welfare in action — and I was thrilled to see students going beyond the classroom in dealing with social problems in a meaningful way.

Leap is adjunct assistant professor in the School of Public Affairs.