Grace Diviny, Staff Writer
On Sunday, September 20th, the Terpsichorean Dance Company hosted a free Walkathon for their late fellow Terps member and SUNY Oneonta student Emily Finn titled ‘Emily Finn Lights the Way.’ The event was an hour-long walk that went all around campus from 12:00 to 1:00, with many people gathering in Alumni Fieldhouse beforehand. Pink t-shirts for the walk-athon were being handed out by multiple TERPS members alongside Emily’s mom and aunt as students from multiple organizations such as Greek Life got together to honor her.
Finn was an 18 year old freshman who was tragically murdered in a domestic violence event by her ex-boyfriend in November 2025, with her family subsequently starting the Emily Finn Foundation in her honor. The foundation is a non-profit charity that helps to raise awareness and educate younger people about the dangers of unhealthy, abusive dynamics in relationships alongside providing healthy outlets through performing arts, something Emily was passionate about as a ballet dancer. The foundation aims to help raise money for victims of domestic violence, mental health support, and gun safety reform, which Finn’s mom discussed during the walk around campus.
Finn’s fellow TERPS members Olivia Peek and Paige Colt were especially sentimental during the event as they expressed their gratitude with the amount of people who showed up for Emily.
“It’s actually amazing,” Colt said in awe with the turnout. “It is insane with the amount of people that have just gotten together here and gotten together in Long Island, there is just so much love.”
Peek also added how the amount of people showing up was a reflection of Emily as a person, stating that she was someone many people saw in a positive light. “She was a very lovable person, it was really easy to love her, so it’s really amazing seeing everyone.”
Peek and Colt both smiled as they attempted to explain Emily as a person, ultimately saying she was ‘indescribable’ due to her sweet, loving nature. “She was the sweetest person in the entire world. She got along with everyone, you would not see her by herself. ” Colt said, with Peek adding that she practically ‘knew everyone.’ “She was very social and always had a funny story when you saw her.”
While this may be one of many events TERPS is hosting in honor of Emily, the foundation hosts a variety of fundraisers in honor of her, such as a 5K run and walk on October 18th at Cherry Avenue School in West Sayville, New York through a month-long virtual campaign. Colt also
said that there would be an Angel Tree Gala ceremony in November in Oakdale, and that the foundation will be hosting an annual event called “Emily’s Pink Sunset Over Kismet,” every summer in Fire Island, New York that people can check out through the foundation’s Instagram, Facebook, or official website.
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