New year, new executive board! We want y'all to get to know the team that will be working all year to make UADM 2015 unforgettable. Remember to follow us on Twitter (@UADM2014)or like us on Facebook (facebook.com/UADM) for updates and events throughout the year!
And, without further introduction, here is your exec. board for the UADM 2014-2015 year! #RMFTK

Name: Allison Peters
Position: President
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Biology, Psychology/ Pre-PA
Go to Dance Move: "I can win any Krumping Battle"
What's playing on the T.V.: The Office
Fave Hashtag: #UADM2015
Why does she dance?
I dance so that they can grow up and dance for kids that will grow up and dance for kids... until one day we will only be dancing for joy.

Name: Emily Trentacoste
Position: Vice President of Finance
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Nursing
Go to Dance Move: The "Shopping Cart"
What's playing on the T.V.: Grey's Anatomy
Fave Hashtag: #FTK
Why does she dance?
I dance for kids now so that they can have the chance to someday dance for others too! I participated as a dancer my first year and fell in love with UADM. UADM supports such an amazing cause and is an incredible experience. College can be so exhausting at times, and UADM is a great way to step away from all the craziness of school and just let loose! The day of the Big Event is a blast! It's so great to spend an entire day playing games, having fun, and just being a kid! The best part is that all of this fun is in support of all the kids at Children’s of Alabama!

Name: Kelly Klevitsky
Position: Director of Family Relations
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Management Information Systems
Go to Dance Move: The "Moonwalk"
What's playing on the T.V.: Friends
Fave Hashtag: #FTK
Why does she dance?
I dance to put smiles on the kids' faces!

Name: Kaitlin Ryan
Position: Director of Event Management
Year: Sophomore
Major/Minor: Psychology, Criminal Justice
Go to Dance Move: The Line Dance from DM 2014
What's playing on the T.V.: The Office
Fave Hashtag: #FTK
Why does she dance?
I dance for those who can't and for a brighter tomorrow! I originally joined UARM because the dance marathon event sounded like fun; but what I found was a family away from home. UADM is made up of selfless, kind, FUN people who work incredibly hard to serve others and I am so honored to call myself a part of this organization. RT& RMFTK :)

Name: Megan Lyons
Position: Director of Individual Fundraising
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Biology, Psychology
Go to Dance Move: The "Macarena"
What's playing on the T.V.: Grey's Anatomy
Fave Hashtag: #FTK
Why does she dance?
I love UADM because being part of UADM allows us to give back in such tremendous ways. We are able to put smiles on sick children's faces and let them know that they are not fighting alone. I dance for all the kids that can't. Hopefully thanks to all our help, one day these kids can stand up and dance with us too. 

Name: Max Pauly
Position: Director of Corporate Partnerships
Year: Sophomore
Major/Minor: Finance, Economics/ Spanish
Go to Dance Move: The "Nae Nae"
What's playing on the T.V.: How I Met Your Mother
Fave Hashtag: #FTK
Why does he dance?
I dance because the best feeling in the world is making a sick child smile and have hope. I have always worked in some form or fashion with children in Children’s Hospital and wanted to continue that.

Name: Jasmine Banks
Position: Director of Catering
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Political Science, African American Studies
Go to Dance Move: Beyonce's Booty Pop
What's playing on the T.V.: The Big Bang Theory
Fave Hashtag: #Racheeeet
Why does she dance?
I dance for my little brother Maddex who was born 6 months pre-mature and diagnosed with Carpal Palsy and can't dance (yet!)  

Name: Sarah Cox
Position: Co-Director of Recruitment
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Biology
Go to Dance Move: The "Shoulder Bounce"
What's playing on the T.V.: The Big Bang Theory
Fave Hashtag: #belike
Why does he dance?
I dance because dancing is such a small price to pay (if you can really call it that) for the children who visit Children's of Alabama to get the medical care they need. If all it takes for these children to enjoy the full lives they deserve is for me to offer a bit of time and money, I'm more than happy to do it.

Name: Nick Allen
Position: Co-Director of Recruitment
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Civil Engineering, Italian
Go to Dance Move: The "Pretzel"
What's playing on the T.V.: Friends
Fave Hashtag: #TurnDown4What
Why does he dance?
I dance to see the look on kids' faces when we do something for them, and to continue to see those faces year after year.

Name: Morgan Brasfield
Position: Co-Director of Campus Relations
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Biology
Go to Dance Move: The "Hair Flip"
What's playing on the T.V.: Suits
Fave Hashtag: #teamnosleep
Why does she dance?
For The Memories.

Name: Shannon Nataluk
Position: Co-Director of Campus Relations
Year: Junior
Major/Minor: Psychology, Pre-Med/ Biology
Go to Dance Move: The "You're a Jerk" Move
What's playing on the T.V.: House or Grey's Anatomy
Fave Hashtag: #madeupmedicaldisorders
Why does she dance?
I dance because I know I am making a difference in a child's life by giving up my time on a Saturday for ten hours just to see a smile on their faces. I dance because I am helping save their lives by donating my money knowing it is going to a great cause.

Name: Kelsey Southerland
Position: Director of Special Events
Year: Senior
Major/Minor: Public Relations
Go to Dance Move: The "Running Man"
What's playing on the T.V.: Friends
Fave Hashtag: #yolo , but only when used sarcastically
Why does she dance?
I honestly and absolutely love CMN! I've been to Children's Hospital in Birmingham to help out and the kids there are all so amazing. No matter what their condition is, they love to smile and have a good time. They deserve every chance at happiness and I want to help make their dreams and goals come true.

Name: Sarah Urbanski
Position: Varsity Squad Director
Year: Sophomore
Major/Minor: Marketing, Apparel Design
Go to Dance Move: The "Bernie"
What's playing on the T.V.: Spongebob Squarepants
Fave Hashtag: its a tossup between #miraclemonday and #whydontifitintomypantswednesday
Why does she dance?
I have been doing dance marathon since my freshman year of high school, and every year my love for the event grows, but my reason for dancing never changes - I dance for the kids.  There are kids out there who will never be able to stand on their feet for an event like the is, who will never be able to learn a line dance, but there are also kids who might have a chance to do so if they receive the proper care and help. By doing UADM, we are giving those kids that care and help they need so that one day they can dance alongside us, and we are also dancing to remember and honor those who will never be able to join us.  I love knowing that we are making a difference in these kids' and their families' lives, and that is why I love UADM.

Hello again, everyone! If you follow us on Twitter (@UADM2014) or like us on Facebook (facebook.com/UADM) you'd know that we recently
 introduced our committee members! Well, we decided to introduce you to our awesome
staff members, too! These wonderful people have put in a ton of work to help get UADM's name out 
around campus, so we think they deserve some recognition for all that they do! We asked them certain
questions and here were their answers- enjoy getting to know our staff! 
First and foremost, we will introduce you to UADM's 2013-2014 President:

Katie Klootwyk     [Pronounced "Klewt-whyk"]


1. Why did you decide to get involved with UADM? 

"I decided to get involved with UADM because of my involvement at my high school. I was fortunate
enough to have a dance marathon at my high school that IUDM put on and fell in love with it throughout my high school career.  After hearing that Tyler and Alexandria were trying to start it at Alabama I immediately got involved." 

2. Expound on a favorite UADM memory.

"My favorite memory was from this past year towards the end of The Big Event when one of our miracle kids was leaving and he told his mom he wanted to come to Dance Marathon everyday because it was the best day of his life.  Knowing that we made such an impact on one kid who usually has to deal with hospital visits, doctors appointments and a bunch of other annoying everyday things that I can't even imagine was one of the proudest moments of my life."


3. Why do you think students should get involved with UADM?


"As cliche as it sounds UADM has something for every type of person.  Whether your quiet and shy, loud and outgoing or somewhere in between no one wants to watch a child suffer.  Not one person would wish a disease or cancer upon a young boy or girl and this is what makes UADM so amazing.  It's a chance for all of these different people to come together and fight for something so much bigger than all of us.  It helps us realize that there are bigger things going on in life than whether or not that guy called you back or if you should go to that party on Friday.  It's the most selfless and worthwhile thing you can do in college. "


4. What is the best part of UADM?


"The best part of UADM is that we are literally saving children's lives.  I don't think that gets stressed enough when talking about UADM....the money raised goes directly to the hospital to buy equipment/fund treatments that save lives of the kids who need it.  It is an awesome idea that college students can do so much good and impact families in such huge ways."





Next up we have...

Caroline Bechtel

Caroline is the Overall Operations and Finance Chair for UADM!

1. Why did you decide to get involved?

"Honestly, I don't even think I had any idea what I was getting involved with.      However, I believed in the mission and have been working hard for that mission every day since."


2. Expound on a favorite UADM memory!

"My absolute FAVORITE memory was at UADM 2013 when I was in the family room blowing bubbles with our Miracle Kid, Caleb!"


3. Why do you think students should get involved with UADM?

"It is the only organization where you: a. Make Friends b. Have Fun c. DO GOOD!"


4. What's the best part of UADM?

"The best part of UADM is all the people I've gotten to meet. From the staff to the dancers to the sponsors, everyone is so willing to give of themselves for these kids." 

Say hey to Nick Allan , y'all! 
He is Captain of the Varsity Squad, and the guy decked out in UADM attire in the pic! 


1. Why did you decide to get involved?

"Katie was my Honors Year One mentor, so I heard about it from her.  The more she talked about it, the more excited I became.  I attended a Morale meeting and was hooked."



2. Expound on a favorite UADM memory!

"My favorite memory from UADM is probably seeing Adam Beg get tackled when he was the snitch during Quidditch.  He hit the ground pretty hard!"


3. Why do you think students should get involved with UADM?

"It is so much fun, and plus you get to have the opportunity to affect the lives of the children and families who receive treatment from the hospital.  It is an indescribable feeling seeing the kids' faces light up because you are helping."


4. What's the best part of UADM?

"The best part of UADM has got to be knowing how happy it makes the children.  The dancing is a ton of fun too."

There's your sneak peek! Stay tuned for more staff intros coming soon! 

*To learn more about UADM and how to get involved, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook! 


FTK,
Mack