Skyview Interact sponsors Zumbathon benefit for Cystic Fibrosis

Skyview Interact sponsors Zumbathon benefit for Cystic Fibrosis

Rotary Kenai River Interact Club hosted their first Zumbathon last week to raise funds to fight Cystic Fibrosis. The Interact Club at Skyview High School is sponsored by the Soldotna Rotary Club and is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle community service issues that they care about in their local community, nation or world. “Zumba instructor Harmony Curtis has a three year old little girl Alicia, better known as Ali who has Cystic Fibrosis. Her twin sister Melody, also a Zumba instructor, suggested our Interact club sponsor a community Zumbathon and use the proceeds to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis,” Moira Pyhala, Interact president told the Dispatch in an interview.

“It’s really encouraging to see the community support the effort to find a cure. The Interact youth are inspiring and they did a great job volunteering to put this event together,” said Harmony Curtis. Harmony and her twin sister Melody hold weekly “Harmony/Melody Zumba” classes at Soldotna Middle School.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder for which there is no cure that affects most critically the lungs, pancreas, liver and intestine. “It’s mainly a children’s disease. There are a lot of people who are recessive carriers of it and 30,000 people in the U.S. have the disease. There is no cure yet, but today because of new treatments kids with CF can live into their thirty’s now, but we’d like them to live longer and hopefully find the cure,” said Harmony. Cat Schoessler is the Interact vice president at Skyview where she is involved dance, sports, academics and just but everything a high school student can be involved, but was excited to be involved with the Zumbathon, “I was so excited at how the people in the community just started giving and the turn out here is awesome. Everyone is part of the community and when something affects one of our children, it effects all of us, so putting my time into this event is more than worthwhile and it’s just awesome to see the results,” said Schoessler. Zumbathon participants donated $10.00 to Zumba for three hours and raised $1,078.00 at last count. “All the Interact kids worked hard to make this a success. I learned a lot about service above self from my dad who is a Rotarian and I’ve had a lot of opportunities to give back and giving back is what cool kids and geeks do,” added Moira. Anyone wishing to contribute may log on to HarmonyMelodyzumba.com and learn more. According to Pyhala the Kenai River Interact’s next project is going to be collecting used soccer balls and sporting equipment for an international project to be sent to youth in third world countries.

More in News

Soldotna City Manager Janette Bower, right, speaks to Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna tweaks bed tax legislation ahead of Jan. 1 enactment

The council in 2023 adopted a 4% lodging tax for short-term rentals

Member Tom Tougas speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism Industry Working Group holds 1st meeting

The group organized and began to unpack questions about tourism revenue and identity

The Nikiski Pool is photographed at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion file)
Nikiski man arrested for threats to Nikiski Pool

Similar threats, directed at the pool, were made in voicemails received by the borough mayor’s office, trooper say

A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward council delays decision on chamber funding until January work session

The chamber provides destination marketing services for the city and visitor center services and economic development support

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crane sentenced again to 30 years in prison after failed appeal to 3-judge panel

That sentence resembles the previous sentence announced by the State Department of Law in July

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander sits inside Kenai City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion file)
Ostrander named to Rasmuson board

The former Kenai city manager is filling a seat vacated by former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre

Joe Gilman is named Person of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gilman, PCHS take top honors at 65th Soldotna Chamber Awards

A dozen awards were presented during the ceremony in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex conference rooms

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Troopers respond to car partially submerged in Kenai River

Troopers were called to report a man walking on the Sterling Highway and “wandering into traffic”

Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward council approves 2025 and 2026 budget

The move comes after a series of public hearings

Most Read