Tuesday, May 3, 2011
When Tonia Salas reflects on her time at the University of Kansas, one experience sticks out in her mind. Her eyes light up and her smile widens. She wouldn’t trade this for anything.
Salas, a senior from Alameda, Calif., became involved with KU Dance Marathon her sophomore year at the University. The organization quickly became one of her biggest passions.
Tonia Salas has accomplished a lot at the University all thanks to the KU Dance Marathon.
“It is really close to my heart,” Salas said.
Administrators have noticed Salas’ dedication to KU Dance Marathon. Her involvement resulted in Salas winning the prestigious Ex.C.E.L. Award in fall of 2010. Every year, the Ex.C.E.L. Award goes to two seniors who demonstrate excellence in community, education and leadership.
KU Dance Marathon is a student-run, nonprofit organization that raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network and donates to KU Pediatrics.
Students work to raise money for the organization and then stay up for one night playing games and participating in activities. Children from the hospitals also attend the event with their families.
“The idea is that we stand for 12 hours so that one day the kids can stand with us,” Salas said.
Salas participated in the event as a sophomore and fell in love with the mission and the dedication of the students involved. As a junior, she worked as the assistant director for recruitment and spent her senior year as the director of business operations.
“I had the benefit of seeing these kids grow and have grown close to their families,” Salas said. “You can’t really ever turn your back on them once you start.”
After not getting involved in many activities in high school, Salas decided to make her mark in college.
In addition to KU Dance Marathon, Salas served as a Student Senator during her time at Kansas. She is also a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and has served on the standards board and as a recruitment counselor.
“I wanted to establish roots,” Salas said.
In fall 2010, Salas was selected as a KU Woman of Distinction for her involvement in the community and service. In spring 2011, Salas received the Alexis Dillard Student Involvement Chancellor’s award.
Salas plans to head to North Carolina next year for graduate school. She will be taking classes at North Carolina State and working in leadership development at the University of North Carolina. Salas wants to pursue a career in higher education administration, she said, and hopes someday to become a chancellor.
Although she aspires to excel in higher education administration, Salas’ goals ultimately don’t boil down to titles and recognition.
“My goal is just to continually impact people,” Salas said. “I think once I stop with that there’s really no purpose for me.”
— Edited by Corey Thibodeaux
Dancing for the kids
KU Dance Marathon raised more than $60,000 for KU Pediatrics on Saturday.
Editorial: New chancellor more than ready
Bernadette Gray-Little possesses perfect qualities for the chancellor position.
Dance marathon group gears up for main ...
Group presents mini-events to raise awareness for annual Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser.
Kemper awards presented to 20 professors
Instructors recognized for teaching and advising excellence with $5,000 W.T. Kemper Fellowships
Freshman establishes KU Dance Marathon
Philanthropy event organizers hope to raise $250,000 for Children’s Mercy Hospitals.
Know your Student Senate candidates
Learn more about the candidates for Student Senate
Chancellor to be inaugurated on Sunday
Secretary Sebelius, Gov. Parkinson among speakers expected at Chancellor Gray-Little’s installation ceremony.
Award recognizes students dedicated to service
Service award in honor of former Chancellor Hemenway will be given out ...
Loyd directs passions in packed schedule
Junior Katie Loyd's numerous activities — including serving as Kappa Kappa Gamma ...
Dance professor dies in New York City
Janet Hamburg, respected professor of dance, died on Saturday, sending shockwaves through ...
Ex.C.E.L. award given during Homecoming
One male and one female student receive the award for outstanding academic ...
New award presented at greek ceremony
At the annual Interfraternal Council and Panhellenic awards ceremony, Beta Theta Chi ...
Homecoming unites students, alumni
A rock 'n' rollin' administrator and a scantily dressed Dorothy highlighted the ...
KU in danger of losing research credibility
The University’s low rankings raise possibility of losing membership in the Association ...
Chancellor announced in Topeka
The Kansas Board of Regents chose Bernadette Gray-Little as Hemenway's replacement.
Law school dean announces departure to University ...
Agrawal's resignation marks the fourth high-profile administrative vacancy.
Community included in homecoming festivities
Atkinson to serve as interim chancellor
Barbara Atkinson will continue in her role as Executive Vice Chancellor of ...
University re-examines privacy policy
Following Jason Wren’s death, University considers allowing parents more access to student’s ...
Centennial celebration honors dancer’s life, legacy
Events will include student and guest performances, art exhibits and the rededication ...
Into the Streets with community service
Humanitarian event will feature a speech Nobel Prize winner Jody Williams on ...
Chancellor, KU professor visit White House
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and Associate Professor Joy Ward were guests at two ...
'Karving for Kids' helps out charities
For its first event of the year, Dance Marathon tries a festive ...
Taking on the color barrier, twice
Thirty years after becoming the first black KU athletes, three brothers fought ...
Fundraiser will honor KU dance teacher and ...
The proceeds from the event will go toward scholarships to assist dance ...
Groups to showcase dance moves tonight
The SUA competition gives students the opportunity to perform cultural dances and ...
Editorial: University cannot afford to pay administrators ...
The University is paying new administrators extremely well at a high cost ...
KU to consider revamping general education requirements
The University takes project up to allow students leeway for study abroad ...
New chancellor addresses community
New chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little was welcomed Saturday by the University and Lawrence ...
Alumni play different roles now at University
Former students have returned to the University not just for homecoming, but ...
Gray-Little plans University initiative
Chancellor wants to improve school’s national academic rankings and retention rate.
‘Sesame Street’ celebrates 40 years
University students and alumni have ties to the educational children’s show.
Journalism lecturer earns student recognition
Denise Linville won the H.O.P.E. award on Saturday, and will be recognized ...
Awards honor student leaders
New parking meters benefit student groups
Newly installed parking meters help raise money for KU student organizations.
An undocumented DREAM
If passed, the DREAM Act would give temporary legal residence to undocumented ...
Professors receive awards for excellence
Committee to hand out over $100,000 in awards to University Faculty.
KU Endowment donors give to schools of ...
Many University of Kansas alumni donate to the KU Endowment Association and ...
Jayhawks participate in Boston Marathon
A cool, sunny and breezy morning greeted Sarah Bergkamp, Garden Plain junior, ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Leaving her mark
This story makes no sense to me. Why was it written? What is it's purpose? Tonia is ONE of TWO Ex.C.E.L. Award winners and one of TEN Ex.C.E.L. Finalists. She is also only ONE of TEN Chancellor Student Award winners. There are also many other students who have made a tremendous impact in KU Dance Marathon and other student groups, yet this one member, who wasn't even the Executive Director, is singled out. It makes no sense whatsoever for her to have a story only about her on the front page of the UDK.
Leaving her mark
Wow, someone's jealous. hehe
Leaving her mark
Just pointing out poor journalism.
Leaving her mark
She looks very nice. Is that lookism on the part of the Kansan?
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID