SOUTH GLENS FALLS — After 28 hours of dedication and dancing, the South High Marathon Dance raised $831,191.15 in support of 42 recipients — beating last year’s total of $823,614.91.
“We want to make sure to help as many as possible,” said senior Morgan Smith, SHMD student chairwoman on Saturday afternoon.
The 41st Annual South High Marathon Dance kicked off in the high school’s gym on Friday at 7 p.m., and the 815 student dancers danced their last dance just before the SHMD committee unveiled this year’s total.
Since the first marathon dance at the South Glens Falls High School raised $1,500, last night’s funds bring the total raised since 1978 to over $6 million.
At about 9 p.m. Saturday night, many of the recipients came forward to express their deepest appreciation to the dancers for their generosity, spirit and heart.
People are also reading…
And it is the heart of the dancers and the community that keeps this event going from year to year.
With a goal of helping as many individuals and community organizations as possible each year, selecting recipients is not an easy task. Among those selected this year are 14 area organizations like the “Woofs for Warriors,” that pairs veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder with rescue dogs.
An individual recipient who was suddenly diagnosed with epilepsy will now be able to get a service dog because of the SHMD.
“Thanks, Bulldogs, for giving me my dog,” he said on Saturday night.
And as each recipient shared a bit of their story and their deeply-felt gratitude with a packed gym of dancers and onlookers, those watching the livestream of events tweeted that it brought them to tears.
“Pass the tissues, the recipients are on stage,” said one Twitter user.
“Listening to recipients speak & watching the utter compassion on the faces of our students as they realize the impacts they have made with wide open hearts,” said another.
And even U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik tweeted: “Wouldn’t miss my favorite #NY21 event of every year #SHMD18 @shmdnow !!!”
As the big night drew closer to the final total, South High Principal Peter Mody called for last-minute donations to push the amount raised higher.
“You’re not only raising money, you’re raising hope,” he said.
PHOTOS: 41st annual South High Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
The 41st annual South High Marathon Dance in 2018 raised $831,191 for 42 recipients. The dance committee announced its beneficiaries for 2019 on Wednesday.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Recipients enter the gym during the gym out the South High Marathon Dance for the closing.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Alumni perform Wagon Wheel during this years South High Marathon Dance closing.
South High Marathon Dance
South High students dance March 3 during the 41st annual South High Marathon Dance. After 28 hours of dedication and dancing, the South High Marathon Dance raised $831,191.15 for 42 recipients setting another record. The marathon dance returns on March 1 and 2.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students celebrate as this years South High Marathon Dance total dollar amount is revealed
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High Students dance Saturday afternoon during this years South High Marathon Dance.
SHMD
Students dressed in costumes march during a costume parade at the South High Marathon Dance.
SHMD
Students dressed up in costumes for a costume parade during the South High Marathon Dance.
SHMD
Dancing continues at the South Glens Falls High School on Saturday.
SHMD
Swing dancers perform at the South High Marathon Dance on Saturday.
SHMD
Dancing continues at the South Glens Falls High School on Saturday. Saturday was day two of the South High Marathon Dance.
SHMD
Dancing continues at the South Glens Falls High School on Saturday. Saturday was day two of the South High Marathon Dance.
Marathon Dance
Swing dancers perform at the South High Marathon Dance on Saturday.
SHMD
Swing dancers perform at the South High Marathon Dance on Saturday.
SHMD
Swing dancers perform at the South High Marathon Dance on Saturday.
Honoring those who helped
On Saturday afternoon after 21 hours, South High students lit their phones to thank those who have helped at the South High Marathon Dance in South Glens Falls.
An effort of love
South High students continue dancing Saturday afternoon — approximately 21 hours after the event's kickoff — at the South High Marathon Dance in South Glens Falls.
Keep going
South High Students give each other a boost after more than 21 hours of dancing for the South High Marathon Dance in South Glens Falls.
Video: 41st annual South High Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
Video: Recipients
The reason why this is the 41st @shmdnow. This year's recipients: pic.twitter.com/PU3JMVRZSl
— Adam Colver (@acolver_PS) March 3, 2018
Video: Glow stick dancing
Dancing the night away at the @shmdnow. @poststar pic.twitter.com/YEG1ldl66t
— Adam Colver (@acolver_PS) March 3, 2018
Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
Video: Kassi Cook, 'Wasting Your Time'
Chairperson Kassi Cook sings her original song 'Wasting you time' @shmdnow. She also sang an original tune last year called '12'. #shmd18 pic.twitter.com/U8wFqpLsYf
— Adam Colver (@acolver_PS) March 3, 2018
Video: Lake George Drum Line
Lake George Drum Line always does a great job setting the mood for the @shmdnow. @poststar pic.twitter.com/B1aFMHkUuw
— Adam Colver (@acolver_PS) March 3, 2018
Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
Marathon Dance
South High Marathon Dance
A panorama shows the scene from the 41st annual South High Marathon Dance on Friday night.
Marathon Dance
South High Marathon Dance
South High students dance with glow sticks Friday during their opening number at the 41st annual South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High students throw glow sticks into the air on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 41st annual South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High students dance Friday during the opening ceremony of the 41st annual South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
A South High student listens to Kassi Cook perform Friday during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High students use glow sticks as drum sticks Friday during their opening number at the 41st annual South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
South High students dance with glow sticks Friday during their opening number at the 41st annual South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
A recipient watches the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance Friday night at the high school.
Marathon Dance
South High Marathon Dance
A South High student listens to Kassi Cook perform Friday during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Banners with the names of the 42 recipients of the fundraising event hang in a hallway.
South High Marathon Dance
Students cheer Friday night during the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students cheer Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
A South High student moves a hula-hoop over her body and to the next person in line while holding hands Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
A South High student moves a hula-hoop over her body and to the next person in line while holding hands Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students perform a choreographed dance Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students dance Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students perform a choreographed dance Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students perform a choreographed dance Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students pump up the crowd Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students clap in unison Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students perform a choreographed dance Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students perform a choreographed dance Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
The Lake George Drumline kicks off the opening ceremony Friday night during the South High Marathon Dance.
South High Marathon Dance
Students entice the crowd to cheer Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance.
SHMD 2
Tracy Longdon loads tickets into the 50/50 tumbler Friday at the South High Marathon Dance.
SHMD 1
Students perform a choreographed dance Friday night during the opening ceremony of the South High Marathon Dance. More than 800 students signed up to dance during the "prehistoric" themed fundraising event which will benefit 42 recipients.
Kathleen Phalen-Tomaselli is a features writer at The Post-Star. She can be reached at kphalen-tomaselli@poststar.com for comments or story ideas.
In this Series
41st annual South High Marathon Dance
Kathleen Phalen-Tomaselli
reporter - Washington County
