By J1 Reporter Maddie Genoways

Despite all the intense showering and parking lot sweeping of Color Walk-A-Thon (WAT) 2017, Student Board brought back the colorful theme for a second run in 2019. However, many students are left questioning the repeated theme. 

“I think the theme was fun freshman year, but [the junior class] has only had that one theme that pulled through,” junior Mia Dunker said, and many other upperclassmen agree. While the theme is shiny and new for sophomores, and Walk-A-Thon itself is a new experience for first-time freshmen, the colorful choice leaves a few questions unanswered.

The number one question on many students minds is this: Why Color WAT? Is this tradition going to continue? The short answer is a hopeful “yes” from Student Board leaders, including senior Lucy O’Brien, vice president. “After the first time we did Color Walk-a-Thon, Student Board was thinking of making Color WAT a consistent theme…The next year rolled around and the previous seniors decided to change [the theme] to Splash WAT. Once we became seniors, we remembered how fun Color WAT was and decided to pick the theme again.”

Student Board leaders confirmed that they loved the first Color WAT so much that most other potential themes fell flat in comparison. “Lucy came in and said, ‘I think we should do Color WAT again’, and the girls said ‘Okay! We’re on board,’” Student Board co-moderator Ms. Jessica Abel said. 

So on Sept. 27, Marian girls donned their white Color WAT shirts and walked their 1-mile, 2-mile and 4-mile routes back to the parking lot dance party for a second time in three years.

Even though there is some lingering doubt surrounding the return of the Color WAT theme, students overall enjoyed the tie-dye dance party and are excited for next year’s WAT, no matter what the theme may be.

Student Board co-moderator Mrs. Beth Dye also urges students to take part in the theme discussion. Dye says Student Board’s current goal is to have four solid themes, two of which are likely to be Color WAT and 2018’s theme of Splash WAT, to reuse on a four-year cycle. Student Board is open to suggestions for the remaining two themes, so if Marian students have any questions or ideas, contact Student Board girls or leave a suggestion in the box in the school cafeteria.