The Clarke Central High School Parent Teacher Organization held a Zumbathon on March 22 at Cali-N-Tito’s at La Puerta Del Sol. The Zumbathon was a fundraiser for the PTSO, which uses their budget on students and teachers. “It’s nice to have an event where it succeeds in raising the funds but also succeeds in building community. It seems like a win-win in that way,” PTSO president Sarah Ehlers said.
By JURNEE LOUDER – Print Variety Editor
On March 22, the Clarke Central High School Parent Teacher Student Organization held a Zumbathon in support of teachers and students.
Customers of Cali-N-Tito’s at La Puerta Del Sol, at 1245 Cedar Shoals Dr., were in for a show Wednesday night. With the sound of shoes sliding across the floor, uptempo Latin music and cheers of excitement from Clarke Central High School community members, the CCHS Parent Teacher Student Organization Zumbathon had begun.
On March 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., the CCHS PTSO held a Zumbathon to help raise money for teachers and students.
“We mainly use our budget to support teachers and students. So, we provide meals to the teachers twice a year during the conferences. We are open to accepting requests from student groups as well. We want to have a budget so that we can fulfill those needs,” PTSO president Sarah Ehlers said.
The Zumbathon was the PTSO’s first fundraising event in two years. According to Ehlers, the PTSO fundraising committee strived to hold an event that would inspire the attendees.
“In the past, we have had fundraising events that got kind of stale. So, we were trying to think outside of the box and do something that was different and fun,” Ehlers said.
This led to the idea of holding a Zumbathon. Guests came to Cali-N-Tito’s at La Puerta Del Sol and paid an entrance fee of $10 for adults or $5 for students and staff. Once admitted, attendees were allowed to partake in the Zumba dance session on the floor.
“It’s a nice fundraiser for (CCHS) obviously, but then it was just a fun way to get together and get some exercise and goof around,” CCHS counselor Heidi Nibbelink said.
Guests like Nibbelink attended the event to support their students and co-workers, but Ehlers says that some guests also came to participate in the Zumba dances.
“In a way, there were a lot of people that Zumba’d (that) night that don’t have any connection to (CCHS). So, it was a way also to get a different group contributing as opposed to just going back to the parents,” Ehlers said. “It was kind of nice to have some outside funds since parents get asked a lot.”
Cristina de Revere, a guest of the Zumbathon, does not have a direct connection to CCHS, but heard about the event through her Zumba class.
“I used to take Zumba at the Botanical Garden, and we have a listserv that told me about the fundraiser going on,” Revere said. “When (they have) the events out here, it’s always for a good cause. So, I always love to come out because these events benefit someone that needs it.”
Ehlers says the night was a success for everyone involved.
“Ideally, we would’ve had a few more (CCHS) people there, but we were happy. It was really good energy,” Ehlers said. “It’s nice to have an event where it succeeds in raising the funds but also succeeds in building community. It seems like a win-win in that way.”
