SIGN UP TO DANCE

There's this widely held belief that as you get older, you outgrow some things. When you learn to walk, you stop crawling. When you start college, you quit reading The Baby-Sitters Club (at least that's what my mom told me). When you get a job, you outgrow your parents' health insurance plans. For the past 5 months since I graduated college, some people have been waiting for me to outgrow Carolina For The Kinds Foundation and UNC Dance Marathon.

That is simply never going to happen. I just signed up to dance for the 5th year in a row. People who have never participated in a dance marathon ask me how I do it, standing for 24 hours year after year. It's not about standing. It's about believing.

I believe in the magic that happens for 24 hours every year in Fetzer Gym. I believe that every decision we make says something about the world that we want to live in. I want to live in a world where others would stand for me. I believe in the goodness in others. I believe in service over self. And I believe Kid President, it's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance.

So I don't stand so I can raise money, or see great performances or eat delicious food (you're welcome). I don't stand to make friends, it was just a happy coincidence.

I DANCE because spending 24 hours a year thinking about others is the least I can do. I DANCE because it takes a village. I DANCE because a 30 second dance party can erase 30 minutes of stress. I DANCE because Carolina For The Kids, and every soul I have had the pleasure of meeting through this organization, has changed my life. The love that this organization has shown me, and allowed me to show others, is miraculous, transformative and endless.


And now, some words of appreciation to some of my very best friends:

SNL
My very own committee, thank you for letting me test my stand-up on you every week last year. Thank you for cutting bagels and throwing mayonnaise packets and calling every restaurant in the great state of North Carolina. SNLove for SNLife.

Morale
My spirit committee. Thank you for being you. I'm happy to be the wind beneath your freak flag. Thank you for the social media stalking, the candy, the gifts, the cards and most of all for pretending I'm funny.
Be weird. Be freaky. Be yourselves. Be me and Jean-Luc.

Exec 2014
Thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to give back to the organization that has given more to me than I could ever hope to repay. I've loved every second spent trying to even the scales.

Exec 2015 
My best friends. Thank you for the hot cocoa, Kit Kats, memes, parties, my birthday pinata, therapy sessions, Cards Against Humanity, pageviews, sporting events, social media posts, meals and crazy love. Thank you for filling my senior year with love, laughs and Landon's goat noises.

Exec 2016
Thank you for keeping the magic alive and for the countless hours you have in store. I can assure you that it is all so very worth it.

The Kids & Families
Thank you for fighting. Thank you for giving us something to believe in. Thank you for sharing your time and your stories with us. Never give up.


Now go to carolinaftk.org/dance and SIGN UP TO DANCE!

If you're still not convinced, here are links to some videos that I rewatch at least once a month to revel in all my former glory.

2016 DRW
What do Danny Green and I have in common? We both look great in black and we're both for the kids! Go Spurs go!

Stand By Me
A fantastic video by a publicity rockstar. If you've never been to UNC Dance Marathon, this is as good as it gets until you sign up to dance at carolinaftk.org/dance.

2015 DRW
Come on, come on, come on and sign up to dance!

2015 Exec Introductions
Yes, that's me eating a grilled cheese. Thank you Jacob for this cinematic masterpiece.

2015 By the Numbers
This gives me chills every time. Also you're welcome for the duct tape. 2015 committee members, I'm sorry you don't have any fingerprints left after set up but now you're prepared for an international life of crime.

2015 Total Reveal
Now my chills have chills. The single greatest moment of my life. If you think I'm exaggerating then you obviously don't know me.


I all my life, I will never be prouder of anything than my 2015 CFTK superlative, Most Likely To Do Anything FTK.