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Standing up by standing out

Part-running, part-dancing, this is an exercise group with a message.

"It's interactive and a great way for people to express themselves especially if someone is shy," said Anna Cimino, a 'rancer.'

"There's no key, your willingness to kind of, to go a little crazy and be funky," said Cimino.

"Today we're probably raising a lot more awareness than we are funds and we hope that that will change in the future," said Corey Richardson of "Rancing Revolution."

Saturday the non-profit group "Rancing Revolution" kicked off its first event. They hope crazy looking antics will draw attention to the question on the front of their shirts: 'Why Bully?'

"Wow that looks like a lot of fun, maybe we should join in," said Rhonda Mace, a Burlington resident.

The strategy caught the eye of Burlington Resident Rhonda Mace.

"I grew up with bullying too and I was actually bullied so I don't find it a part of growing up," said Mace, "I think bullying is definitely something that needs to be eliminated."

Executive Director Corey Richardson says the idea for the group came after a friend invited her to try out the activity. She says she felt exposed, uplifted by those who cheered, but intimidated by those who cast judgement.

"I could feel myself physically shrink," said Richardson.

Now, the spur-of-the-moment decision is a movement, and is due to enter schools. While participants don't shy away from public performance, the camera can be a tough sell.

"Why is being interviewed tougher than rancing? Because I'm speaking in public, but dancing is just fun," said Cimino.