The Mount Notre Dame High School Cougar Dance Team has been extremely busy. After a summer filled with practices, camps and many (many) fundraisers, this team of passionate, hard working, young ladies recently showed their passion for giving back to their community. On September 17, the teams participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Annual Light the Night Walk at the Mason Sports Park. This annual walk is intended to raise awareness and donations to support this society. Together, the MND Cougar teams raised a total of almost $2000.00. Junior dancer, McKenzie Barron of Loveland, holds this event near and dear to her heart. Her grandfather, James Day, passed away last year as a result of leukemia.
"The amazing talents that our team has to offer should not stop on the dance floor. We as a team know that it is important to extend our time and talents out into our community for causes such as the Light the Night walk because you never know when it may actually hit home. If our support can possibly save a life or find a cure, it means something to us that we can help. My family and I are very thankful for the team's support to such a worthy cause hoping that we can help others be survivors," McKenzie said.
In conjunction with McKenzie’s grandfather, the team also walks in honor of past coach, Vickie Gianfagna Criswell, a cancer survivor, who started the team’s tradition of participating in this walk.
Next up for the Cougars is their first competition at COA Dance for a Cure to benefit juvenile diabetes. The competition will be held at Princeton High School on October 18th.