The third annual Zumbathon, which was originally scheduled for November, and has been rescheduled to Saturday after being postponed because of icy weather.
The event, which lasts from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., is being hosted by Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or SAND, to raise money for its events. Shelia Jones, associate chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, said the money goes towards state and national conventions.
Tickets for the event are $10 in the Campus Center, as well as at the door.
Taylor Newhouse, senior nutrition major from Montgomery and president of SAND, said the Zumbathon was started three years ago when Zumba was a new form of exercise and there weren’t classes offered at the Student Recreational and Wellness Center.
“We kind of want to keep it the same thing so people recognize it as something fun and want to come do it again,” Newhouse said.
The event will keep the same Hawaiian theme as originally planned in November. Newhouse said there will be raffle baskets, snacks and a contest for the best Hawaiian costume.
“It’s a fun, friendly environment for people to want to be active,” Newhouse said.
Ruthie Swedlund, a Zumba instructor, will be one of the instructors along with Audrey Smith, an ACU graduate and Tiffany Weatherford, junior communications major from Argyle.
Swedlund said she is passionate about fitness.
“I believe in the power of mind, body and soul when it comes to health and fitness,” Swedlund said. “I believe without those three elements true change doesn’t happen.”
Swedlund also said students should join the Zumbathon to help raise money for SAND.
“I think people should support SAND because it supports a group of students who will graduate to minister and care for sick and struggling people throughout the world,” Swedlund said. “SAND and its organization will help equip and prepare its students to be successful in the ministry they have been called to.”
Newhouse said through SAND she wants to learn how to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
“I want to empower individuals through balanced and healthy complete nutrition,” she said.
