News > March 6, 2008

By Jenn Kimbal | Asst. news editor

The third annual Wake ‘N Shake dance marathon benefiting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund took place March 1 in Reynolds Gym. Students stayed on their feet for 12 hours straight, from noon to midnight, to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer.

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Students danced for hours on end at Wake ‘N Shake March 1. The event raised money for Comprehensive Cancer Center. (Haowei Tong/Old Gold & Black)

Over 400 university students participated in the event this year.

At the start of the day participants were divided into four large teams, each designated by a different T-shirt color. This created camaraderie and spirit amongst the teams.

Throughout the day the teams competed in activities such as Jeopardy, relay races, singled out and limbo.

At the end of the day there was a tie between the orange and green teams, but the green team came out on top as they had the most members present at 11:30 p.m.

Kappa Delta led the student organizations with the most registered dancers followed by Sigma Chi and Chi Omega.

Junior Caleigh Jooste, entertainment chair for this event, worked in conjunction with several university and non-university groups to make Wake ‘N Shake an action-packed event.

“In past years, there were lulls in the entertainment so this year we wanted to make sure that there was never a minute that when by when there wasn’t something for the dancers to be doing,” Jooste said. Head Football Coach Jim Grobe opened the event with a motivational talk and countdown to the commencement of Wake ‘N Shake 2008.

Rubberband, a musical group featuring Chuck Folds (brother of Ben Folds), performed.

Another local band, To the Nines, “kept the energy up for the dancers,” Jooste said. The university’s Dirrrty Dancers also performed.

The Bouncing Bulldogs, a local youth group, came to perform their award winning jump rope routine.

Kristy Younker, co-chair of Wake ‘N Shake, said, “It was the most ridiculously entertaining thing I’ve seen in my life.”

Another surprise guest was President Nathan Hatch who performed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance for the crowd. Throughout the day various games and competitions were set up, such as pie-eating contests and dance-offs. Members of the men’s and women’s soccer and field hockey teams came out to support the cause.

“We were thrilled to have ACC athletes involved in Wake ‘N Shake this year,” Jooste said.

Members of the hospitality committee, responsible for providing food to participants, sought donations from various restaurants and grocery stores in the greater Winston-Salem area. Dancers received three full meals and snacks throughout the twelve hours. Kristy Younker and Andrew Borum were co-chairs for this event.

“I got involved with the Piccolo Organization through my sorority and appreciate its efforts because my dad is a leukemia survivor,” Younker said.

For over 25 years students have been raising money for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund through events sponsored by student organizations.

Steve Hirst, the Director of Greek Life and Co-Advisor for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund, ensured that Wake ‘N Shake ran successfully. “Most people in here have been affected by cancer and additionally it is a wonderful Wake Forest tradition,” Hirst said.

“Students want to be part of an event that benefits a good cause in the name of Wake Forest,” Hirst said.