On Friday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m., the Senior Gift Committee will host “Dancing with the Cats!” Inspired by the popular TV hit, “Dancing with the Stars,” at the Connelly Cinema. This event is sure to spark excitement in many people.
Senior Ava Petrosky, who will be featured as a “pro” at the event, hopes that the event generates a spirit of giving.
“The goal of this event is to get the seniors excited to give back to areas of the community that have given so much to them over the past four years,” Petrosky said.
The event will function similarly to “Dancing with the Stars.” There will be eight total couples, each featuring one “pro” and one “star.” Many “pros,” like Petrosky, are affiliated with some of the many dance organizations we have on campus. The “pros” are tasked with choreographing their pair’s dance and coaching their “star.”
When the idea of this event was first introduced, many students, like Petrosky, were called to action.
“Immediately, my whole face lit up…I knew I had to do this,” Petrosky said.
Whether they have a dancing background or not, the preparation process has required time and dedication from all the pairs.
The hope is that both the “pro” and “star” can garner support based on their unique involvement in campus life. Tickets are selling for five dollars, and every dollar counts towards one vote. When you vote for a specific couple, that money will benefit the community organization your selected pair is representing.
Senior Eva Grzech will be featured as a “star.” Her pair will represent the student performing arts and will perform a hip hop number. Having danced competitively for 15 years before college, Grzech is thrilled to re-enter the world of dance.
“[I am] super hyped to be back on stage,” Grzech said. “Love [for the arts] never leaves you.”
Being that she is representing something she is so passionate about, Grzech is excited for the opportunity to perform in front of students who may not usually get involved with performing arts here at Villanova.
Grzech’s sentiment echoes the goal of “Dancing with the Cats.” It is an opportunity for students to engage with and support an area of campus they are passionate about.
“The Senior Class Gift is all about reflecting on your Villanova experience and giving back to the people, programs and opportunities that shaped it,” Assistant Director of Student Philanthropy Kat Ciliberto said. “What makes it special is that every senior chooses where their gift goes, whether that’s a favorite student organization, scholarship, a department or another area of campus that means something to them. It’s personal, and it allows every gift to tell a different story while bringing the class together around a shared sense of gratitude and impact.”
Ciliberto is celebrating three years in her position at Villanova and is advising the Senior Class Gift committee this year. She is extremely excited and grateful to see all of the support this event continues to receive.
“Of course, every dollar raised matters, but the bigger goal is the collective impact and seeing the community come together,” Ciliberto said. “And if someone can’t make it in person, they can still support our dancers by following along on the Senior Class Gift social media and voting using the link in our bio starting Feb. 16.”
There are ample opportunities for students to get involved with “Dancing with the Cats” before the event.
“At the end of the day, yes, it’s a dance competition, but it’s also seniors showing up for each other and celebrating the people and places that shaped their time here,” Ciliberto said. “If people leave having had fun, cheering loudly and feeling a little more connected to the idea of giving back, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”
Vote and get your tickets now for “Dancing with the Cats” on Friday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in Connelly Cinema.
