Pretty in blue

Century Tower turned blue for World Diabetes Day./Photo by Jesse S. Jones

Gators already know blue is one half of the best color combination on the planet, but on Nov. 14, the hue took on a new meaning for one UF icon. With more than 200 people watching, UF’s Century Tower glowed blue, illuminated in recognition of World Diabetes Day. The annual event symbolizes the importance of diabetes awareness and research. In 2008, UF became the first university in the U.S. to hold a lighting ceremony for World Diabetes Day. As part of the event, the UF Student Health Care Center offered free blood sugar screenings and the Diabetes Center of Excellence held a hula-hooping competition. Blue hula hoops were used to represent a blue circle, the symbol of World Diabetes Day. Prizes were given to three dancers for best hip-shaking, best artistic expression and best use of multiple hoops. Seven-year-old Terry Ford entered the competition to support his aunt, Eleni, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 9. He won for best use of multiple hoops. Although winning a gift card was nice, Ford said he joined the competition to have fun. “I don’t really want to win awards,” he said. “I just like to hula hoop.”