Six instructors helped teach the group at the TRIO Zumbathon fundraiser on Nov. 15 at the Neosho YMCA. (Photo contributed)
James Walls
Campus News Editor
TRIO hosted their Zumbathon fundraiser event to help raise money for the program’s scholarships on Nov. 15 at the Neosho YMCA, where people from the community came to participate in the activity. Being the first event TRIO has hosted of this manner, Lenora Sotlar Clouse, TRIO Director, considers the event to be a success.
“Anytime you do something new, you don’t know how it’s going to go,” said Clouse, “and in that sense it was a great success because it was a good event and we look forward to doing it again next year.”
TRIO, which is the sponsor for such programs as Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services and the Educational Opportunity Center, offers about 12 scholarships a year between traditional and dual-credit scholarships. Having fundraisers such as the Zumbathon, and the dodgeball tournament last semester, helps raise funds for these scholarships while offering college students and community members activities they can take part in.
The event this semester was led by six Zumba instructors, each taking turns leading the event. The instructors helped get the event started quickly with energy and positivity, said Clouse.
“So they showed up, not only just raring to go right away, but they had these amazing, like crazy outfits on, and they were just ready to dance,” said Clouse, “and in that sense it had a really positive feel.”
While student participation was low this year, Clouse said the event was still a good experience and that TRIO plans on having it again next year. However, there are plans to have it on the Neosho campus instead of at the YMCA to help make it more accessible to students.
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