By J1 Reporter Delaney Shea

Amidst blaring music and memorable sound effects, DJ LayC returned to Walk-A-Thon once again to spread her love of music and show students female empowerment gone professional. 

Walk-A-Thon is a Marian tradition as old as time, and since about 2017 DJ LayC’s attendance has become an integral part of building excitement for students. Her DJing career had only officially begun about two years prior, in 2015. Bars, weddings and parties ranging from kids to adults are all places where she brings the beats and shares what she loves: music. As a female DJ, she has faced her own challenges while emerging into a male dominated industry. “It’s been a struggle here and there, but you know I have a pretty loud personality,” said DJ LayC, “and so I just kind of made my way.”

Every year during WAT, there seems to be unending excitement when it is announced that DJ LayC will be joining. Through student’s enthusiasm and decorum it has led to Marian becoming her favorite place to work. “I have always felt so welcomed,” said DJ LayC. Since she started working Marian events so soon after she started DJing professionally, she was grateful for the supportive community the students bring to visitors and guests.

Women’s empowerment is something that DJ LayC sees an abundance of when she comes to Marian and watches students let go. Even through the evidence of support, she understands that it can be hard to pursue what you love when you’re scared. “You don’t have to suck up to somebody. You don’t have to be someone you’re not,” said DJ LayC. She hopes some young students out there who may be looking into a job field that’s a bit intimidating will continue to work and learn that, “everyone’s a newbie at some point,” said DJ LayC. Hopefully returning to DJ next year’s WAT, DJ LayC left the building with one last “Go Crusaders!”