As a Springfield High School student, I was unaware of the opportunities I would be given in order to succeed and make a difference in the world. As a freshman, I was thrilled to become of such a wonderful organization known as the Steve Stefani Dance Marathon, or as we like to call it SSDM. As a sophomore, I was even more excited to join the committee, Morale, and become even more involved with such a beneficent event. As a junior, I was inspired to change committees as one of my closest friends was the leader and extremely ecstatic as to what Logistics, a small and close committee, would hold. As a senior, I was honored to become captain of the Logistics under yet another close friend that was the leader for that particular year. Throughout my journey of SSDM, I was inspired, emotional, and most of all proud of the impact that the Springfield High School student body had on its community and the world.

As the granddaughter of a strong woman who unfortunately had cancer, I know the difficulties and fear that knowing someone with cancer holds. Not only did my grandmother have cancer once, but she had it multiple times and only came out stronger from each and every battle cancer threw her way. Her constant fight and strength inspired me to stand for 15 hours not only for her, but also for the kids! The Steve Stefani Dance Marathon has not only introduced me to many friends that I will have for the rest of my life, but it has also impacted the lives of many children in and out of the community that endure things that I cannot even imagine.

As the previous Steve Stefani Dance Marathon leadership team and advisor revealed the incoming leadership just the other day, I thought it was the perfect time to commemorate my memories over the past four years of an event that I have held so near and dear to my heart. To all the incoming leadership and captain members: good luck with the 2018 Steve Stefani Dance Marathon and enjoy every moment of it because you will not realize just how influential it has been on your life until your journey sadly comes to an end. As a dancer, committee member, and a captain, I have experienced almost all that the Steve Stefani Dance Marathon has to offer and I am proud with all of its accomplishments and mostly thrilled with the journey it provided me.