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Throughout Dance Marathon, over 1,000 Northwestern students grappled with the challenges of dancing in an enclosed space for 30 hours. NBN argues that the most difficult of these challenges is whether they'd rather have sex or take a shower. Read below for a highly scientific* analysis of block-by-block sex or shower data.
From the start, males unanimously preferred having sex to taking a shower. This trend continued for the duration of DM, with more than half of males preferring sex in all but two instances. Females were less enthused by the idea of intercourse, particularly as time wore on (only two brave souls were ready to rumble by Block 10).
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As expected, there is a clear positive correlation between time elapsed and desire to purge the body of accumulated filth. However, across 10 samples, males never surpassed their female counterparts in their desire for a shower. We may conclude then that males prioritize their carnal desires over hygiene ...
After 30 consecutive hours and more than a year of fundraising, NUDM announced a fundraising total of $1,130,979 for Starlight Children's Foundation and the Evanston Community Foundation.
Starlight Children's Foundation received the second-largest check that DM has ever presented, for a total of $836,489.57. Additionally, the ECF was given a check for $92,943.29. The money raised by Starlight will go towards funding new hospitals in the Chicago-land area.
The $1.13 million total was the first that wasn't record-breaking since 2010. Last year, NUDM raised over $1.3 million dollars, which benefited Team Joseph and the Evanston Community Foundation, and gave its primary beneficiary the largest check in DM history – $931,289.21. However, 2012's primary beneficiary, the Danny Did Foundation, received less than Starlight did, despite a larger overall fundraising total in 2013's NUDM compared to 2015's.
DM 2015 is finally wrapped. With a fundraising total of $1.13 million, students worked their butts off to fundraise this year. Here are the standouts from this year, announced during Block 10 of DM:
Small Team
- Trivia Winners: Willard (1st), PARC (2nd)
- Sixth: Willard ($7,749.83)
- Fifth: Slivka ($7,472.63)
- Fourth: Chapin/CCS ($8,277.18)
- Third: CRC ($8,520.93)
- Second: Shepard ($12,679.29)
- First: PWILD ($12,847.86)
Medium Team
- Trivia Winners: DZ/Delta Chi (1st), DDD/SAE (2nd)
- Sixth: Zeta/Delt ($28,533.55)
- Fifth: Pi Phi/Beta ($29,039.16)
- Fourth: Alpha Chi/AEPi ($30,669.39)
- Third: Gamma Phi/Phi Delt ($33,005.40)
- Second: KD/Sigma Nu ($37,792.05)
- First: SAE/Tri Delt ($59,110.30)
Large Team
- Trivia Winners: Kappa/Pike (1st), Alpha Phi / Sigma Chi (2nd)
- Fourth: Phi Psi/Theta ($58,594.41)
- Third: Alpha Phi/Sigma Chi ($59,382.28)
- Second: Kappa/Pike ($68,833.63 ...
The results are in, and females are feeling more than a little grody — all but two respondents preferred the steamy relief of a shower to that of sex. Males are more of a mixed bag with the majority of respondents preferring sex to a shower even after 30 long, sweaty hours. Some things never change.
Photos by Jeremy Gaines, Abbey Kutlas, Madhuri Sathish and Rosalie Chan
Check out our favorite photos from Block 9, themed "Everything is Awesome."
We asked 25 female and 25 male dancers during Block 9 whether they'd like to take a shower or have sex. Showers continue to capture the hearts and minds of the dancers. Which will prevail? Only time will tell.
These days Jerry Spinger is probably most notable for his hosting of the exceptional television show Baggage, but the graduate of Northwestern’s law school has more on his resume then terrific programming. He has been directly involved in history and is a multiple-Emmy winner. Not bad for a 71-year-old.
- Springer was born in 1944 at Highgate tube station in London. The station was being used as a bomb shelter from Nazi soldiers at the time.
- He served as the 56th Mayor of Cincinnati from 1977-1978.
- WWE Raw had him on as a guest host on February 15, 2010, and then had him back on September 8, 2014 to intervene in a match with the Bella Twins, because wrestling.
- Springer guest-starred on a 1996 episode of The X-Files.
- He’s been married to his wife Micki Velton for over 40 years. Whataguy.
Photos by Madhuri Sathish, Abbey Kutlas and Rosalie Chan
Check out our favorite photos from Block 8, themed "Block Party."Mother and CEO and founder of last year's beneficiary Team Joseph, Marissa Penrod, spoke of hope, miracles and love during Block 8 of this year's Dance Marathon.
"You guys fund hope," she said. "You guys make people who are struggling and fighting battles that we can’t walk away from, you guys make us feel that we’re not alone. And that’s more valuable than any dollar that will show up on that board tonight."
Penrod flew in from Boston where she was meeting with scientists to discuss the latest research in regards to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. While others struggled with canceled flights, she made it to Chicago without any delay.
"I kepy checking my flight and it said on time, on time, on time," she said. "And I call that Dance Marathon Karma."
She told the dancers they were "creating miracles" and helping pay the price for someone who is unable to do so themselves. Emphasizing ...
Not all dance moves are created equal when it comes to burning calories. If you're looking to mess with your Fitbit this weekend or just get all the exercise you need for the year out of the way, look no further. We calculated the number of calories you'd burn doing these dance moves continuously for the entirety of DM.
Graphic by Sarah Turbin / North by Northwestern. Additional reporting by Tyler Daswick.
Roll out the red carpet. Students draped themselves with flags and wore sports jerseys this block to represent their hometowns. These are the best dressed of Block 8, themed "Block Party."
We asked 25 female and 25 male dancers during Block 8 whether they'd like to take a shower or have sex. For the first time, shower preference has outnumbered sex preference in absolute terms. Our olfactory beat reporters confirm a definitive stank throughout the tent.
By Block 5, dancers have been awake for 15 hours straight. We tested their wits and dancing ability with our latest installment of NU Trivia from the DM tent.
Block 8 greeted the dancers with some good vibrations courtesy of Transformers star Mark Wahlberg and "Fancy" rapper Iggy Azalea. Here's five quick facts you may not know about these non-rhotic renegades.
Mark Wahlberg often gets mistaken for fellow Bostonian Matt Damon. The Departed co-stars have standing agreement that whenever a fan confuses the two, they’ll just go with it.
Iggy Azalea’s real name is Amethyst Kelly. The Australian rapper chose her stage name by taking the name of her dog, Iggy, and the street she grew up on, Azalea.
Wahlberg has a third nipple. The former Calvin Klein model often had it airbrushed out for photoshoots.
Azalea is one of two artists to have songs ranked #1 and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 concurrently. The other is The Beatles.
Wahlberg was a founding member of New Kids on the Block with his brother Donnie before starting the hip hop group Marky Mark and the Funky ...
We chatted with the people who dancers have been working to support all year long – representatives from Starlight. Here's what the CEO of Starlight Children's Foundation, Jacquie Hart, and the main DM liason, Cortney Szlemp, had to say on the second day of DM.
How has the whole DM experience been so far?
JH: Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Living it in a tent is something everyone should experience; it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. The thing that's been the most touching has been the impact that the families have on the students.
CS: I don't even know where to begin, I think every aspect of NUDM is mind-blowing. I think the fact that it's a completely student-run organization is really fun as a professional to see. I've learned so much from the executive board throughout the year – you walk in the tent and you're just in awe.
What do you love about ...
We sat down with Food co-chairs Amy Xu and Jacob Greenberg in the midst of Portillo's steak sandwiches and chocolate cake to hear about their DM experiences.
We're more than halfway there. How do you feel?
AX: Well this is my very last DM, so it's super nostalgic. It's really, really bittersweet and it's really hard work. I've slept for 20 minutes so far so I'm feeling great. It's definitely really tiring and really exhausting especially because we're running around delivering everywhere and it's so many logistical issues. But I love it. I actually did this last year as well. I'm really tired and really stressed but we're almost there and it's going to be really exciting.
JG: I'm feeling so good right now. I'm very energetic and I'm feeling so much better. I had a little lull earlier today where I was like ...
At this point, I've come to terms with the fact that my friends and I are sort of assholes. Last year, we assembled the worst DM care package ever and gave it to our fraternity brothers. It was what many might call a "dick move," but we turned it around at the end and supplemented our cruelty with pizza, Gatorade and cinnamon rolls.
This year was a little different. We set out to top everything we did last year. Make it bigger, make it badder and make it a hell of a lot worse for our friends in the tent who were dancing their butts off to help children. We aspired to include items such as "a loaf of bread where every slice has been individually burnt" and "Oreos that we licked all the cream off beforehand." We even thought to take a pineapple, hollow it out, put a Smirnoff Ice inside, seal it back together and pull off ...
We sat down with Productions Co-chairs Lizzie Kreitman and Andrew Sonta. Here's what they had to say in between running the lights, sound and action of DM.
What has been the best part of DM so far?
AS: Sunrise. It's a low-key moment, but it also showcases the best part of what our committee does. It's just amazing, with great songs that everyone sings along to.
LK: Mine is probably all the speeches that we've had so far. We're just so lucky to have so many families that have unique perspectives but so much passion for Starlight.
What's the best thing about productions?
AS: What's cool about productions is that we work longer than any other committee. We're here all week before Dance Marathon starts, and then we're up through Dance Marathon, and then we stay at DM a few hours after to strike, sleep for a few hours, get up ...
Even after more than 20 hours of dancing, the dance moves in Block 7 are on point. Check out a few of our favorites:
Remember that girl in Friends who wasn’t Jennifer Aniston or Lisa Kudrow? Maybe you’ll remember her from her more recent show Cougar Town. If not, no worries, NBN has you covered. Here are five fun facts about Courteney Cox going back to her humble beginnings of dancing with Bruce Springsteen and progressive Tampax commercials.
1. Cox appeared in Bruce Springsteen's music video for “Dancing in the Dark” in 1984, where the boss pulls her onstage to dance.
2. Cox originally auditioned for the role of Rachel Green for on “Friends” but got the role of Monica Geller instead.
3. She kissed former Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston in the series finale of Cox’s FX show “Dirt.” #morethanFriends
4. She is the only primary character of Friends to not get an Emmy nomination for her work on the series.
5. She is the first person to say the word “period” in a physiological sense on T.V. through ...
Between the bathroom and the snack breaks, Dancer Relations co-chairs Laynie Held and Justin Marquez hardly have a minute to sit – and with good reason. This year's Dance Marathon featured the return of the Norris run-around, as well as three extra port-a-potties, both of which Held and Marquez count as big accomplishments making their jobs easier. NBN caught up with them to hear their thoughts on this year's DM and what future Dance Marathons can hold for the next generation of Wildcats.
We’re most than halfway through. How are you feeling generally?
JM: it’s pretty incredible, more like the unbelievable incredible how quickly it’s gone. It’s been a full 15 hours. We’ve seen the sun set as well as rise because check-in started around 3:30. My voice has deepened; my eyes are bagged and I’m tired, but it’s cool to see how many dancers are still going and that keeps ...
We asked 25 female and 25 male dancers during Block 7 whether they'd like to take a shower or have sex. If the suspense was killing you, rest assured knowing that sex continues to reign supreme.
We asked 25 female and 25 male dancers during Block 6 whether they'd like to have a shower or have sex. People want their sex.
- Jim Nantz owns a winery that produces the label "The Calling:""This was an opportunity to try to take something that I taught myself a level of expertise and then could apply that passion and energy into something that could become a company that stays into my family for generations to come.”
- Phil Simms was dubbed “Prince Valiant” by his Giants teammates during his rookie season in 1979. He didn’t want to be drafted by New York, but, hey, sometimes you have to settle for winning a Super Bowl with your “safety” team.
- Medill alum Rich Eisen has been competing in the 40-meter dash along with NFL hopefuls at the ...
We asked 25 female and 25 male dancers during Block 5 whether they'd like to have a shower or have sex. For the first time, shower has overpowered sex – well, for girls, anyways.
We checked in with DM executive co-chairs Ander Aretakis & David Ryan during Block 5. Here's what they said as they approached the halfway mark for their last Dance Marathon.
So, almost halfway there. How does it feel?
AA: Oh boy. Really good. It's gone super smoothly so far, it's been really exciting. I think the energy in the tent has been awesome from what I've seen in past years.
DR: I think the run-around which is something we haven't been able to do for a few years is definitely a big part of that. It's really good to see that still be a good pick-me-up for everyone.
Obviously, you guys have a lot going on right now. What job is taking up the most of your time?
DR: Honestly, the biggest thing is just being available for our executive board. They're responsible for so much of what happens during these 30 hours, so ...
NUDM got a visit from original supermodel Cindy Crawford and Oscar-winner Halle Berry. Learn a little about these famous ladies:
- Halle Berry adopted the cat used on the set of Catwoman to help train Berry as a feline. His name is Play-Doh and changed the actress’ firm stance as a dog person: “I had dogs my whole life. And in making this movie, I learned to really respect and love cats from the research and work I did with them.” (Go, ‘Cats.)
- Berry has done six movies with Hugh Jackman, including four “X-men” movies.
- Cindy Crawford attended one quarter at Northwestern after receiving a scholarship to study chemical engineering. She dropped out to pursue modeling full-time.
- So much for Lorde; Crawford has some royalty in her blood. She is descended from Charlemagne, as well as English nobility.
No, you were not just Punk'd – Ashton Kutcher of That '70s Show fame made a Block 4 appearance to cheer on the dancers. It may feel like you know Kutcher pretty well. He has played a goofy twenty-something in Just Married, an abrasive innvoator in Jobs and an immature Charlie Sheen replacement in Two and a Half Men. Still, NBN is here with five facts to prove that you never quite know everything about a person.
- His first job was sweeping Cheerio dust Kutcher started his working career sweeping at the General Mills factory where his father worked. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?
- Kutcher has a fraternal twin named Michael While Kutcher's mother expected a son, what she got was twice as nice. Ashton's fame never drove the two apart, though. "I consider him my best friend," said Michael Kutcher in a 2012 profile.
- Two of his toes are fused together Kutcher has two webbed toes ...
We asked 25 female and 25 male dancers during Block 3 whether they'd like to have a shower or have sex. Males continue to forsake hygiene for pleasure, and females are starting to care less about their deteriorating freshness.
Remember boy band heart throb Nick Lachey? No one could forget the MTV reality TV show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica with then wife Jessica Simpson. NUDM sent you down memory lane with a video featuring Lachey during Block 3 (see above). Didn't get enough Lachey from that 19 second video? Find yourself wanting more? Fear not, NBN's got your back, here are five more fun facts about Lachey ranging from his Starbucks drink of choice to the number of solo albums he's released.
Lachey released four solo albums but don't feel bad if the only one you can think of is What's Left of Me.
Lachey was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (#rushsigep) at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
He is known for his recurring character Leslie St. Claire on the television series Charmed.
His Starbucks drink of choice is a sugar-free vanilla latte, although he also enjoys a good pumpkin spice latt ...
The dance moves from Block 2 were on fire! Check out a few of our favorites:
Remember watching Boy Meets World after coming home from school? NUDM took the liberty of reminding you in Block 2 with a celebrity video message from William Daniels, better known to the '90s kids in the audience as Mr. Feeny, with Today hosts Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford. Get to know your celeb guest stars:
- Mr. Feeny’s got a penchant for presidents: He’s played both President John Quincy Adams (A Woman for the Ages) and President John Adams (1776) 20 years apart, and taught at the fictional John Adams High School in “Boy Meets World.”
- Daniels graduated from Northwestern in 1949, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.
- Kotb is a three-year breast cancer survivor. She now advocates for increased awareness.
- Kathie Lee Gifford may have had a role in your childhood without you even knowing it: She lent her voice to the Hercules TV series on Disney Channel and Hey Arnold!, and appeared in ...
We asked 25 female and 25 male dancers during Block 1 whether they'd like to have a shower or have sex. Check out what they chose below.
Block 1 kicked off with an appearance from the cast of American Horror Story. The actors from the notoriously raunchy series kept it clean for the kids at Starlight, wishing the dancers the best of luck. Here is one thing you may not know about each actor:
- Evan Peters is a confirmed momma’s boy Evan Peters, who plays Jimmy Darling in AHS: Coven, has “MOM” tattooed across his left bicep in capital letters. Whether his mother approves of his onscreen antics remains unconfirmed.
- Sarah Paulson is really bad at vine Other than having impeccable cheekbones, Sarah Paulson is known for her Vine debut that asked the question “I don’t know how this works? Is this all it does?” Follow her here for more gems.
- Angela Bassett is a Yale graduate After graduating from Yale, Bassett's mother told her "please don't waste your Yale education on theater." Instead, Bassett has made a career in film with biographical ...
NU’s coolest and sweatiest annual tradition is upon us. While the rest of us basic bitchez prepare for our at best mediocre weekends, others are prepping for a weekend of fanny packs, sweaty low contrast iPhone pictures, neon apparel, and, of course, great music. In honor of our fellow students braving the chaos and conviviality for charity, here are some song requests from some of Northwestern’s own Fred-Astaires-in-training.
1. “Best Day of My Life” – American Authors
“It’s so upbeat. I always get hyped when I hear it and I think at DM we need all the hype we can get in order to make it through 30 hours.” – Henry Castellani, WCAS ‘18
2. “Baby Got Back” – Sir Mix A Lot or “Tunak Tunak Tun” – Daler Mehndi
“Baby Got Back is just a hilarious song and super fun to rap to.”
“I also probably want the song “Tunak Tunak Tun” which is an Indian song that a lot ...
Time Until DM Ends
DM is over! Congratulations, dancers!
Photos From The Dancefloor
Overhear something hilarious in the tent? Tweet at @nbn_overheard with the hashtag #overheardatDM.
Tweet your photos to @nbn_tweets or email them to editor@northbynorthwestern.com.
Haikus by Lauren KravecA dancer sends in a haiku each block; we watch her ability to speak coherently deteriorate.
Block 1
DM has begun
How many times will they play
Uptown Funk tonight
Block 2
Raving vegetables
Someone in a pineapple
suit ran into me
Block 3
Sweat dripped on me
I entered the tent, oh well.
Britney just came on.
Block 4
Eyelids are drooping
And I really need to pee
But here comes the sun
Block 5
Most important meal
To carry me through the day
Got my second wind.
Block 6
Bathroom lines so long
Dancing with a full bladder
To my fave artist.
Block 7
Energy fading
Blurred vision and gibberish
Where is my third wind?
Block 8
Sandstorm. Enough said.
An ocean of arms and legs.
Classic DM high.
Block 9
The final homestretch
Has it really been a day?
I could keep dancing
Block 10
So this is the end
I'm too tired to even
Finish this poem
The Wall
DM Blocks
Block 1: Wish Upon a Starlight (7 p.m. - 10 p.m.) Block 2: Lettuce Turnip the Beet (10 p.m. - 1 a.m.) Block 3: One(sie) Direction (1 a.m. - 4 a.m.) Block 4: Hippies to Hipsters (4 a.m. - 7 a.m.) Block 5: Winter's a Beach (7 a.m. - 10 a.m.) Block 6: Where the Wildcats Are (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Block 7: Hero Block (1 p.m. - 4 p.m.) Block 8: Block Party (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.) Block 9: Everything is Awesome (7 p.m. - 10 p.m.) Block 10: Shine Bright, Starlight (10 p.m. - 1 a.m.)