THOMAS BODOH
STAFF WRITER
Students wearing colorful clothing, glowsticks and face paint gathered in the J.C. Williams Center for the “Haiti 180 Dance” on Feb. 9 to support the Haiti180 missions. Dozens of dancers arrived at 8 p.m. and jammed to modern pop songs late into the Saturday night.
Whether students arrived for the catchy music or simply to lend support to the Haiti missions, the intense energy and cheers between songs were proof enough that all enjoyed themselves. ’80s hits and remixes, sprinkled in with modern pop songs like “Cheap Thrills” and “Bad Blood,” kept the bouncing, grooving crowd on its toes all evening.
Students wearing glowsticks as necklaces, bracelets and headbands added to the fun-filled blur of lights and color. Some had brightly colored face paint down to their elbows which glowed in the flashing of the strobe lights.
In addition to providing Saturday evening recreation, the atrium of the J.C. was transformed into a lively, flashing dance floor to fund Haiti180, a ministry dedicated to assisting the residents of Haiti.
Josh Tennyson, a freshman who attended the dance, said that he was proud to “raise awareness of the needs of Haitians through the Haiti180 dance.”
Founded in 2002 by Sean Forrest, Haiti180 provides homes, healthcare and education for impoverished children and elders alike in Haiti. The public charity currently operates an orphanage and a school and plans to complete construction on a medical facility and a home for the elderly.
The Rev. Louis Merosne, a graduate from Franciscan University of Steubenville and native of Haiti, also helped to found Haiti180. Dedicated to serving God and his Mother, he now works to evangelize in Haiti and other smaller countries.
The Haiti mission strives to form faithful, educated leaders while ensuring happy childhoods for each child in their care. Students are encouraged to further support Haiti180 and the missionary outreach of the Franciscan University of Steubenville.