The South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) is a student driven event that raises money for individuals, families, and organizations in need of financial assistance.
With approximately 80 percent of the high school’s population participating in this two-day event, plus elementary and middle school involvement, this event has grown into a celebration that brings the entire community together like nothing else, with activities taking place year-round. The 47th annual South High Marathon Dance will be held March 1 and 2, 2024.
Last year, the dance raised $630,111.07 for 22 individuals and organizations, bringing the 46-year total to more than $10.5 million raised for 641 beneficiaries from within South Glens Falls as well as many surrounding communities.
After reviewing many applications, the student committee has selected the following as beneficiaries of SHMD 2024:
The Families of:
Olivia Allen
Molly Clothier
Susan Dobert
Allison Dwyer
Emily Elder
Ann/Richard Gordon
Donna Harper
Cynthia Linendoll
Rian McCann
Rochelle Monroe
Christopher O’Brien
Rebecca Otruba
Rohan Michael Robichaud
Alyssa Rowell
Brad Simon
Stephen Tucker
Georgianna Vance
The Walsh Family
Adam Wells Jr.
John Wilcox
Marshall Zeh
Alzheimer’s Association of NENY
Cancer Center Community Crusaders
CAPTAIN Community Human Services
Hometown Thanksgiving
Jake’s Help from Heaven
Kelly’s Angels, Inc.
Moreau Community Center
O’Brien’s Angels/Food for Thought
Operation At Ease
Rebuilding Together Saratoga County
Saratoga Center for the Family
St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center
The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, Inc.
The Marathon Dance Event, Supported Throughout the School Community
The 2024 Marathon Dance will be held March 1 and 2 at the South Glens Falls Senior High School. Opening ceremonies will begin at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. Community members can donate to the dance in a variety of ways. Each of the approximately 700 students signed up to participate is required to collect a minimum of $150. You can choose to donate to an individual student’s total online, or the Marathon Dance in general, through the “Donate” tab on our website at www.shmd.org. The district’s middle and elementary schools also conduct various Marathon Dance fundraising activities. Fifth graders and certain middle schoolers even have their own time slot to participate at SHMD!
Donating Goods and Services to SHMD
Members of the community and business owners can donate items to be auctioned during the dance itself. All Live and Silent Auction donations must be received no later than Friday, February 16. To donate an item, please contact us at Donations@SHMD.org. The South High Marathon Dance Inc. is registered with the state of New York as a charitable corporation and has been determined by the IRS to be a public charity under section 501 (c) (3). Accordingly, all donations are tax deductible.
Community Fundraising Events
Numerous fundraising activities have already taken place in support of this year’s dance, and many additional events, listed below, are scheduled to take place prior to March 1. For additional information regarding these fundraisers, and to learn of new events as they are established, visit our website at www.shmd.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SHMDInc. All fundraising activities are subject to approval by the South High Marathon Dance Committee. If you find that an activity is not posted and want to verify its legitimacy or if you are interested in conducting an event, please contact us at Events@SHMD.org. All fundraising activities or events, the use of the South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) name, icons, images and logos are subject to approval of the Corporation. Any event or fundraiser raising money for a specific student’s fundraising goal MUST also receive approval, and clearly state on all flyers and advertisements that the proceeds of said activity will be attributed to that student’s total, this includes money jars at businesses.
- St. Michaels Breakfast – February 4
- Wilton Fire Dept – February 10
- Texas Roadhouse – February 15
- Battle for the Bridge – January 27
- Kingpin’s Alley – January 27, Feb 17
- Talk of the Town – February 5
- Slickfin – February 10
- King’s Dairy (check FB for date)
- Southy’s Pizza – January 31, Feb 21
- Southy’s Soft Serve – February 23, 24, 25
- Common Roots – February 29
- The Fun Spot – February 22
Activities and Fundraising during the Dance
Sales have returned to the high school for SHMD 2024. Many fundraising activities are conducted at the dance itself. Activities include the annual cut-a-thon which will take place throughout the weekend, as well as the sale of Marathon Dance apparel, photos, hair wraps, face painting, ice cream and more. The 50/50 raffle annually pays out multiple $500 prizes. The concession stand provides a variety of food and beverage options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The live and silent auctions also take place during the dance with a selection of items donated by local businesses and individuals. The silent auction begins Friday evening and ends early Saturday evening, followed by the live auction which begins at 6:00 p.m.
Visiting the Marathon Dance March 1 and 2
This event is open to the public, from 5 through 10:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1. Parents of Elementary and Middle School students may enter with their children at 8 and 10 a.m. respectively on Saturday, March 2, with the rest of the public entering at 11 a.m. Only registered participants, and others as indicated in the official schedule, are permitted on the gym floor. Additionally, seating is limited in the main Bulldog gym where the dance takes place; spectators may be directed to alternate viewing areas. Information regarding parking and shuttle buses will be available on our website and Facebook page.
We hope that you will be able to join us for this wonderful event. It is a truly moving experience to witness a community that comes together to help those in need. Please be sure to visit our website at www.shmd.org, and follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for additional information and to view the Marathon Dance live the weekend of the event!
Student Chair Committee
Connor Basile Olivia Belden Sophia Belden
Addisyn Buckley Logan Mahoney Cody Touse
Michaela Tracy
SHMD Board of Directors
Dan Albert Tom Myott Caitlin Hogan
Gus Carayiannis Mary Mann Ray Ruby
Missy Smith
2024 Public Schedule of Events:
Friday, March 1st
5 p.m.: Senior Registration/Public Shuttle Buses Begin Operation/Old Gym Open for Sales/New Gym Open for Seating
5:25 p.m.: Junior Registration
5:50 p.m.: Sophomore Registration
6:15 p.m.: Freshmen Registration
7 p.m.: SHMD 2024 Begins
9:10 p.m.: All Dancers Change for Costume Party ~ Walk the Red Carpet
9:30 p.m.: Costume Party Begins
10:15 p.m.: Costume Party Winners Announced
10:30 p.m.: Building Secure - All Non-Mandatory Personnel Leave - Jr/Sr Snack Break, Frsh/Soph change, then return to gym
11 p.m.: Public Shuttle Buses End
11:15 p.m.: Freshmen & Sophomore Snack Break, Juniors & Seniors Return to Gym
Saturday, March 2nd
12 a.m.: All Students Return to Rooms for Attendance - Students Change for Neon Power Hour
12:30 a.m.: Resume Dancing
3 a.m.: Neon Power Hour
4 a.m.: Sleep Break
5:30 a.m.: Breakfast Begins Being Served
7 a.m.: Resume Dancing
8 a.m.: Shuttle Buses Resume/5th Graders Dance/5th Grade & Middle School Families Welcome to Enter
9 a.m.: 5th Graders Leave
10 a.m.: Middle School Basket Raffle Winners Dance
11 a.m.: Juniors & Seniors Lunch Break/Middle School Leaves/General Public Welcome to Enter
11:45 a.m.: Freshmen & Sophomores Lunch Break, Juniors & Seniors Return to Gym
12:25 p.m.: All Dancers Change for Costume Party ~ Iconic Characters
1 p.m.: Costume Party Begins
1:45 p.m.: Costume Party Winners Announced
2:50 p.m.: Language Arts Classes Dance
3 p.m.: Recognitions: 4 Year Pins, Dancer Prizes, Check Presentations
4 p.m.: Juniors & Seniors Pack Up and Then Dinner Break (Dancer Shirts On)
4:45 p.m.: Juniors & Seniors Return to Gym, Freshmen & Sophomores Pack Up and Then Dinner Break (Dancer Shirts On)
5 p.m.: Silent Auction Concludes
5:30 p.m.: Freshmen & Sophomores Return to Gym
6 p.m.: Live Auction, 50/50, and Raffle Winners Announced
7 p.m.: Bags May Be Picked Up By Parents In Hallways
7:30 p.m.: Awards & Total
10:30 p.m.: SHMD 2024 Concludes
11 p.m.: Shuttle Buses Conclude