Before I stepped foot onto Florida State University's campus, I knew the words Dance Marathon. After attending orientation the summer before and hearing about the community of people who called themselves Dancers, I knew I wanted to be involved. Fundraising had never been easy for me, but I was excited to be a part of something bigger than myself.

My journey as an InspiratioNole (INL) Leader through Dance Marathon FSU in Fall 2019 brought me into a family away from home. We were all different, but were united with the same values and goals. One aspect of many meetings always stood out to me. Me and my group of freshman leaders were frequently asked to speak about our "why". In other words, why we had chosen to be a part of Dance Marathon and what the experience had done for us.

My "why" became clear to me hearing each miracle family tell their stories. My "why" is a result of stepping into Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL and seeing the equipment and resources our donations had created. During my Shands tour specifically, a doctor stopped our group and emphasized the contributions were making for each child and family. My "why" is every external event I participated in that showed me the power of a community like Dance Marathon at FSU.

This year, I've chosen to become a part of Dance Marathon at FSU again. This time, my role looks a little different. I'll be fundraising and working with a group of INL's as their Captain. To me, this role means everything. Stepping into a huge college campus as a freshman was overwhelming and felt isolating at times. My captain when I was an INL could not have been more inclusive and genuine. Being given the space to be myself, ask questions, and learn helped me grow into the sophomore I am this year.

As this Dance Marathon season begins, my "why" becomes helping each freshman INL find THEIR "why". Once you find your "why" at Dance Marathon FSU, your purpose in the organization becomes more than just fundraising. It becomes finding your family.