BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – During American Diabetes Month this November, Briana Kinsey, Miss North Jefferson Area invited local teens to take action and Join the Millions in the fight to Stop Diabetes through dance in the fourth annual Dance Away Diabetes Event to support the American Diabetes Association. On November 2nd over 150 plus energetic and talented teens from the following dance teams: Shelby Starlettes, Hoover Buccanettes, Dream Makers Dance, Vestavia JV Rebelettes, Spain Park Dazzlers, Dale Serano and Southern Arts Dance participated in a fabulous exhibition of their dance routines from 1-5p.m. at the beautiful Riverchase Galleria. The fans, family and friends of the various dance teams voted for each of the teams as the People’s Choice. The dance team which had the most fan support was the Dream Makers Studio Dance Team under the direction of Jenny Lespi. Due to overwhelming audience votes, this team was named the #1 Dance Teams to Dance Away Diabetes for 2014. All of the participants learned important information on how they can confront, fight and Stop Diabetes. They were encouraged to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which included eating health, participating in a regular exercise program and to share the information learned with their family and friends.
Joining in the event and providing service were members of the Sigma Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated of Samford University and Shawnise Gregory, Briana’s Rising Star. The audience was entertained with dancing and exercise fun through Zumba and line dancing led by Angela Scoggins of Camp Scoggins.
Nearly 29 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, including over 12 percent of people in Alabama. Alabama ranks as one of the top five states in the nation for the prevalence of diabetes. An additional 79 million Americans are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Thousands of persons are unaware they have the disease. Briana, a senior at the University of Alabama began Daring to Defeat Diabetes as her platform in 2011 and the Dance Away Diabetes was her idea to help teens get involved the movement to stop diabetes. “As a community, we need to do everything we can to end this disease. We are asking everyone to help Stop Diabetes, whether it is by attending this event or getting involved in other ways.
Briana, in collaboration with the Tri-county (AL) Links, added a Poster Contest on the theme “Healthy choices to defeat diabetes.” Youth in grades K-12 were encouraged to participate and over 50 posters were submitted. This year’s winners were as follows: Jayden Ballard of Robinson Elementary School; John Norman II of Our Lady of Sorrows School and Sheyanne Boland of Corner High School.
Over $7000 has been raised through this event and all proceeds go directly to the American Diabetes Association. According to Kinsey, “this money will go toward research and treatment of diabetes. Right now there is no cure, but we hope that one will be forthcoming to combat this chronic disease.
