Author: Ivy Miller

Sem’s 13th Annual Dance Marathon

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By Izzy Shoemaker ‘26

The charity Dance Marathon is a beloved tradition at SEM. This year marked the 13th year of “SemDM”. SemDM is the largest student-run organization at SEM, and certainly a fan-favorite event. Throughout the year, executives and committee members run several fundraisers and events, all culminating with a dance marathon in April. This year the team put on a sweatshirt sale, a Powderpuff football game, and a car wash to help raise money and awareness for the Children’s Hospital. 

Families Committee Executives, Mirabaai Reitsma ‘26 and Ellie Scullion ‘25 were thrilled to be working with Sem’s biggest group of Miracles Children attendees in event history. Reitsma said, “This year we all knew we really wanted to focus on the families at the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. We actually invited ten kids to the event, which is double the attendance of last year. We couldn’t be more happy that we did. Seeing the kids at the event is always the best part.” The Sem student body also showed up big time to the event, from 12-7pm the gym was jam-packed with students, day and boarding, of all grades. 

The event included lip-sync battles between SEM students, JustDance breaks, and performances from the incredible Miracle Children. Each child also had a segment of the day dedicated to them and their journey in the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and through the Miracle Network. The events committee was sure to leave enough time in the schedule for the highly anticipated faculty pies and tape a teacher. This year six faculty members volunteered to be pied by their students: Mr. Cruz, Ms. Dohn, Ms. Rossi, Mrs. Stretanski, Ms. Barton, and Rev. Carrick. Mr. Kersey also got in on the action, getting taped to the wall of the Blue Gym. 

Fundraising Committee Executive, Maya Gross ‘26, said, “This event is so special, because everyone at the school is so supportive and involved. And it’s really cool to be able to have so much fun while supporting such an amazing cause, and it’s just incredible to see everyone rally around it.”

This year, the cause is more important than ever, as Janet Weis lost funding that they usually can count on. Through the Miracle Network, funds raised directly contribute to renovations, new technology, and life-saving equipment in the hospital. In total, SemDM raised an outstanding $32,801 for the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. 

Wyoming Seminary Presents Ballet to Broadway

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By Nancy Dahal ‘28


With the end of the school year, the dedication of the Sem Dance Company has come to a finale with their spring performance. Ballet to Broadway, presented on May 9th and 11th, provided the student body with a transformative production on the KCCA stage. From the elegance of La Bayadere, to the energy of Ease on Down the Road and the enthralling effect of A Chorus Line, the industry of the dancers and directors involved became evident as soon as the spotlight came on opening night. 

Composed of twenty-six dancers, Ballet to Broadway delivered a creative blend of genres and pieces that left the audience starstruck. Out of those twenty-six dancers included were alumni Brennan Twardowski, Activities Director and Assistant Director of the Dance Program ‘10 and Robert Zaloga ‘20 who devoted their time both instructing students and dancing alongside them. 

Other faculty members and Lower School student, Gigi Ruderman ‘29, contributed to the performance as well, notably in the dance titled It’s Your Wedding Day in which Upper School Faculty appeared in a line dance among students. All of this was made possible by Bernadine Vojtko’s commitment to the company and her dancers. In regards to her experience in the Sem Dance Company, Aniella Gabello-Timinski ‘26 said, “My experience dancing here has been memorable. I came in as a freshman and was instantly welcomed into the community. Throughout the past 3 years, I have grown both as a person and a dancer, even earning myself a solo this year. This year’s Broadway themed performance surely has brought in a bunch of people of all experiences”

As well as determined work of the faculty, many students had a hand in bringing the performance to life. The Choreographer’s Workshop has contributed incredible pieces to an already astounding performance. The six dancers involved in the Choreographer’s Workshop: Abby Lott ‘25, Reece Fisher ‘25, Aniella Gabello-Timinski ‘26, Aubrey Fisher ‘27, Karolina Harvanova ‘27, and Melina Ospina-Wiese ‘27 have devoted much of their time preparing for this performance and have inspired many other students as a result. Reece Fisher ‘25 described her experience choreographing for Ballet to Broadway as such, “My experience choreographing here has helped me expand my knowledge of dance as well as learn how to create a piece that highlights each dancer’s ability” 

The forty-fourth annual dance show was a tribute to the time of the students, choreographers, and teachers involved and acted as a testament to the hard work Mrs. Votjko and her dancers have been in the company for decades. It is fantastic that The Sem Dance Company will continue to provide such performances for years to come and we all await what they have to offer next season.

Getting Through the Winter Blues

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By Liz Mantush ’25

Winter is a difficult time for everyone. Temperatures are below freezing, the sun sets at 4:30, and everything seems to move so much slower. In some cases the change in seasons can lead to SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Johns Hopkins Medicine describes SAD as a type of depression that is caused by shorter days and less daylight.

As students, the winter can feel never-ending. The stretch between Christmas and Spring Break feels like it is crawling by and it can be hard to keep ourselves motivated.

One of the main causes for SAD, also known as Seasonal Depression is a decrease in serotonin production in the body. Serotonin is a chemical produced in the body that affects mood and sleep- a lack of it can cause both anxiety and depression. One of the main boosters of serotonin production is sunlight, natural vitamin D is absorbed in the skin when exposed to sunlight which leads to a higher production of the chemical in your body.

Do you ever wonder why you feel so much happier in the summer? You’re spending your days being consistently exposed to the sun, which is why the winter seems so much harder. Despite all of this, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms of seasonal depression.

Although it’s cold, one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase serotonin levels is spending time outside. Going on a walk, even if it’s for five minutes, increases not only serotonin but also endorphins in your body, which are clinically proven to make you feel happier. If spending time outside isn’t your vibe, sunlight lamps are a very effective way to boost serotonin levels in your body.

One of the most overwhelming symptoms of seasonal depression is self isolation. It’s so easy to get caught up in your own head when there isn’t much else to do. The truth is, sometimes staying home and taking a nap sounds more appealing than doing absolutely ANYTHING else, but falling back on your support systems is an amazing way to keep yourself above water in these hard months. 

Almost everyone is feeling the same way, and by reaching out to people who care about you connects you with something bigger than yourself. By being with people you love like family and friends, you are given an outlet to get out of your own head. Laughing has actually been proven to boost endorphin levels, the same chemicals that are released during exercise which can clinically boost your mood. Having people who can lift you up during dark times will make you feel more fulfilled in the end, even if it’s hard to reach out.

If you’re feeling sluggish, unmotivated and sad during this time, you are not alone. It may feel like there’s no other option but to wait it out, but actively being aware of ways to help yourself can make the winter feel much less hopeless and grim.