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30 Hour Dance Queen: Laura Gilbert

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Casey Geraldo
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Monica Park
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Northwestern chapter.
Senior Laura Gilbert has been dancing since she was three. When she came to Northwestern, already having heard about the legend that is Dance Marathon, she immediately signed up for a committee and the rest is history. Today, Gilbert is the artistic director of Fusion dance group, a 4 year DM veteran (though she didn’t dance her freshman year- she was on a committee and danced with Fusion) and reigning 30 Hour Dance Queen.

So as the standing 30 Hour Dance Queen, how do you pick the song?
Last year I kind of searched YouTube for hours and days and selected a few songs and dancer relations voted on it. This year I kind of did the same thing, but had something in mind. I showed it to exec and the dancer relations chair and we decided.

What was the song last year?
2011 Showdown by Black Eyed Peas and then it was requested at the Keg every time and the DJ got mad at us because he didn’t have it.

Can you tell us the song for this year?
That’s one of the best parts, it’s a secret!

Do people ever recognize you from the 30 Hour Dance?
Yes! It’s so awkward. That has happened to me so many times at the Keg. It actually happens all the time! I was a McGee’s once and someone who had graduated recognized me. My dad likes to joke that I’m a celebrity on campus he’s like “You’re famous!” but I’m really not.

As a senior, do you have any tips?
Oh my god so many. I like to wear multiple pairs of shoes that way my feet hurt less, also multiple shirts. Other tips… knowing that everybody else hurts and feels gross. I just stayed positive the whole time. I was like I am having so much fun doing this. You realize at the end how worth it [DM] is. I loved playing with the kids and dancing with them on stage.

What are you looking forward to most?
I love teaching the 30 hour dance, that’s always the best. It’s just such a great bonding experience. This year I started the fusion team so I’m going to have all my fusion friends and all of Gamma Phi and Beta. It’s just a great way to get to know people and make new friends and I’m looking forward to that even as a senior. I’ll definitely be back for the alumni block- when alumni are allowed to come in and visit and hang out. I also really like seeing everyone do the 30 hour dance. That’s really fun.

What do you hope to leave as your DM legacy?
I mean mainly I’m known for the 30 hr dance and last year they said that it was one of the best participation in the 30 hour dance and I want people to try to do it because people get discouraged. I think if they know how much fun it can be they will at least try it. I think it’s really cool to be surrounded by however many people are doing DM all doing the same dance. It’s crazy, it’s fun.

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Casey Geraldo

Northwestern

Casey Geraldo is a junior at Northwestern University. She is journalism major, with a broadcast concentration, and a history minor.Casey coaches gymnastics, and in her spare time, she is usually babysitting, watching TV, eating candy and ice cream or spending time with the people she loves.Follow Casey on Twitter! @caseygeraldo
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Monica is a sophomore at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. She spent her early years growing up in a small town in Minnesota, but spent the last half of her life in Seoul, South Korea where she developed a city girl love for good food finds and fashion. Journalism has been a major part of her life, but she can also be found relaxing with a cup of coffee, watching movies, and spending time with loved ones. Though she has a tough exterior, Monica is actually a romantic who loves the power of words, the importance of strength in any endeavor, and who always wears her heart on her sleeve.