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Monday, February 24, 2025

A Sadie Hawkins Dance for a Cause

Over 75 students gathered in Lankford Student Union for a Sadie Hawkins Dance sponsored by the resident assistants of North, Main and South Cunningham Halls. With love still in the air from Valentine’s Day, friends and couples gathered to dance and have a good time, as well as raise money and collect supplies for Madeline’s House.

Many hilarious signs featuring Student Government President Donald Knight were advertised around campus, saying, “Hi, I'm Donald Knight, and I approve this message.” The girls-ask-guys-themed dance had many people excited.

On the night of the dance, the Ballroom was decorated with hearts, balloons and streamers, and from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., students danced the night away to a variety of songs, while dressed up in semi-formal attire.

Even with all the excitement and music, the resident assistants still took time to recognize the real reason why the dance was so important. The Sadie Hawkins Dance was to raise awareness for Madeline’s House, a non-profit organization that houses women and children that have been victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

With a 33 bed capacity for the women and children, Madeline’s House keeps running and being able to provide free housing and basic items to its guests by various fundraisers like the Sadie Hawkins Dance.

By raising money, collecting canned foods, toiletries and informing students about Madeline’s House, the dance became even more special and meaningful.

Upon entering the dance, students were asked to give a Madeline’s House donation and then were able to enjoy the food, drinks and music that were provided. Additionally, each student was asked to sign a pledge against abuse, and all the pledges signed will be spread around campus so that others can learn more about Madeline’s House and its purpose. After students signed the pledge, they received red bracelets that represent awareness for abuse and Madeline’s House.

Resident Assistant Logan Miller said this about the fundraiser, “My favorite part was definitely the dancing. It was awesome because we were dancing for a cause.”

Two other Cunningham Resident Assistants, Emberli McGann and Alexandria Cole, organized and planned the entire event. They also provided flyers, pamphlets and other materials full of information about Madeline’s House and abuse that students who attended the dance could take to read more about the issue.

Joanie Giordano, a freshman who attended the Sadie Hawkins Dance, was very touched after learning about the Madeline’s House. “I did not know what the Madeline’s House was until I attended the dance, and now that 

I know I think that it is an awesome program for women and children.”

They also informed students about R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense System), which is a program sponsored by Longwood University Police Department. This program is free to students on campus and helps them learn and develop skills to protect themselves against rape or other types of abuse. It teaches realistic self-defense tactics to women in order to reduce their risk of assault.

With the success of the Sadie Hawkins Dance, more students around campus are now more aware of Madeline’s House and its purpose. Almost every student in attendance left expressing the need for another dance similar to it and also expressed their gratitude to McGann, Cole and the rest of the resident assistants who helped with the dance and hope to continue educating other students on such a great cause.