During American Diabetes Month this November, Miss Hoover 2013 Briana Kinsey invited local teens to take action and Join the Millions in the fight to Stop Diabetes through dance, in the second annual Dance Away Diabetes Event to support the American Diabetes Association.  On November 18, more than seventy energetic and talented Alabama teens representing three high schools—Hoover, Pelham, McAdory—and two middle schools—Bumpus and McAdory Middle—participated in a fabulous exhibition of dance routines 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 teams which had the most fan support at the middle school level was Bumpus Middle and  at the high school level, the winning team was from Hoover High School. Both teams were named the number one Dance Teams to Dance Away Diabetes for 2012. All of the teens also learned important information on how they can confront, fight, and stop diabetes. Each dance team took a pledge to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which included eating healthy and participating in a regular exercise program. They were encouraged 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, who serves as Briana’s Rising Star.

Nearly twenty-six million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, including more than 12 percent of people in Alabama. Alabama ranks as one of top five states in the nation for the prevalence of diabetes. An additional seventy-nine million Americans are at high risk for type two diabetes. Thousands of people are unaware they have the disease.

Briana, a college sophomore, has chosen Daring to Defeat Diabetes as her platform, 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. My hope is that dance teams all over the country will host a Dance Away Diabetes event!” Briana says.

This year Briana, in collaboration with the Tri-county Links, added a Poster Contest on the theme “Things I can do now to avoid Type 2 diabetes.” Youth in grades K-12 were encouraged to participate. More than thirty-five students from several schools took part in the contest. All students received service hours for their participation. This year’s winners were Jhameria Jolley from Phillips Academy, Ashley Matthews of Huffman High, and Jasmine Jordan of Gardendale High School.

In total more than $2,000 was raised through this event, and all proceeds go directly to the American Diabetes Association. According to Briana, “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.”    

Source: Briana Kinsey