RaiderThon’s ‘Rookie Year’ A Homerun Published April 29, 2025

What do crickets, pies in the face, and Rowdy the Raider’s wicked dance moves have in common? They all occurred at Rose State College’s first-ever RaiderThon dance marathon, which raised money for the Children’s Miracle Network.

On Friday, April 18, 30 Rose State College (RSC) students gathered at RaiderThon’s Main Event to celebrate raising over $8,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network.

RaiderThon is a new student organization founded this year by RSC freshman Lily Goolsby. This was more than helping fellow Oklahomans; it was personal for her. Goolsby’s brother Connor lives with spina bifida and has received care from the Children’s Miracle Network.

Goolsby stated, “For me, my ‘why’ is my brother, Connor, who lives with spina bifida and multiple other medical challenges. His strength and resilience remind me every day why this mission matters.”

RaiderThon is a dance marathon that raises money throughout the year and culminates in the Main Event, where more fundraising is done. Students play games, complete challenges, and encourage their family and friends to donate to RaiderThon.

RaiderThon’s mission is to raise money to help the Miracle Children with their care and housing needs during hospital stays.

The executive team this year consisted of ten RSC students: Lily Goolsby, Karlie Robertson, Jessica Roe, Grace Gregory, Asha Kinsley, Brylee Toney, Keo Obryant, Kayden De Leon, Jazmin Baldwin, and Miranda Young.

The officers organized several fundraising events throughout the school year. Some events included pieing professors in the face, hosting a Valentine’s Day bake sale, a Spring Fundraising Push Day, and more. RaiderThon also partnered with a few local businesses to host a ‘give back night’ where portions of proceeds were donated to their cause.

These students not only changed Miracle Children's lives but have also positively impacted the RSC campus. Director of Student Engagement, Paige Stramski, said, “Lily showed up on Day 1 as a student ready to make a difference on our campus through avenues she was already involved in outside of Rose State. She started a brand-new student organization in her first semester of college and never looked back. She was a leader who encouraged and pushed her group to be the voice for kids in need in Oklahoma. I am so proud that she followed her passions and created something really special here at Rose State."

Coordinator for Student Engagement, Austin Borjas, was the staff advisor for RaiderThon. He was often seen around their table during their fundraising pushes throughout the semester and was even pied in the face on the stage during the Main Event. When asked why it was important for him to be involved with RaiderThon, Borjas stated, “It’s important to host an event like the Main Event because it creates unity and hope for future generations. Our students and staff came together to achieve a common goal, and the environment was absolutely contagious with smiles and laughter throughout the night. My students and I feel honored to have a small part in raising money to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”

The Main Event culminated when the executive officers grabbed large white poster boards and raised them individually. The crowd waited silently in anticipation to see how much money they had raised. Eight. Comma. Zero. Nine. Five. The crowd erupted with cheers! The first RaiderThon had raised $8,095 for the Miracle Children.

Congratulations to the RaiderThon Executive Board for planning and hosting a successful first Main Event. You can learn more about RaiderThon at rose.edu.