When the students at South Glens Falls High School reach their 28th straight hour of dancing for charity, one could imagine their energy drained and exhaustion setting in. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The South High Marathon Dance builds to a crescendo of anticipation in its final hour. Announcements are made for how much money was raised, who raised the most and who won the event's multiple raffles. The 800 students who danced all day and night create one final flourish with the Strut Your Stuff performance as their families cheer them on in the school's packed gym. 

For 38 years, the marathon dance has helped those in need, from paying for medical expenses to sending terminally-ill patients on dream vacations. On March 6-7 the students and supporting community raised $621,680, bringing their grand total to more than $4.82 million. It helps people like Nolan Jacox, a five-year-old with an autoimmune disease that causes him to produce too many white blood cells. As a result, he is allergic to most foods and must eat through a feeding tube. 

The school works with a screen printer/embroiderer that prints multiple garments for the recipients, families, production crew, alumni, students and more, as well as a fundraiser design that, last year, rose over $7,000 through sales of hoodies and short- and long-sleeve tees. The back of the shirts feature the name of every person that benefited from the money raised through the dance. "The dance and these shirts have helped with the lives of so many people," says Rob Chadwick, a father of two South High students. 

Over 90% of the student population participates in the dance. A student committee chooses the causes to support and determines the costumes that will be worn at the dance. "The kids prepare for the dance throughout the year," says Chadwick, who also works security for the dance. "They even practice special dances in their gym classes." In this case, the power of dance is more than just a phrase.