My Senior Year THON Experience
Well, THON happened.
It’s been over a week since I not only stood up in the Bryce Jordan Center, but also sat down after being awake and on my feet for 46 hours. Those 46 hours are definitely some of the best and most memorable moments of my life.
THON is something special here at Penn State—it happens to be one of the events that persuaded me to come here four years ago. I had only thought of it as a huge dance marathon, per se, with thousands of people in attendance, having just raised money all year long in an effort to eradicate pediatric cancer. However, once I was on campus as a freshman, I came to realize the impact it truly had not only on the university, but all across the country and world.
During my freshman year, I got involved with THON through my sorority. I signed up to stand in the stands during designated shifts and was so excited to see what it was all about. I definitely didn’t plan on standing for 36 of the 46 hours, but it was worth it. I stood beside some of my best friends, while also cheered on those who were on the floor as dancers, just soaking in every moment and realizing that the reason I was there was greater than myself—For The Kids.
When sophomore year rolled around, I knew I had to get involved with THON in a more hands-on way. I applied to be on a THON committee, which is one way to get involved internally, and was selected as a Rules & Regulations committee member. Through this experience, I was able to learn more about all the rules pertaining to THON weekend and how to keep both dancers and spectators safe for 46 hours. My final shift of the weekend was during the final four hours, otherwise known as the “last hoorah,” and I was able to go on the floor. The feelings I had on the floor alongside dancers, families and other volunteers during those last few hours of the weekend are some that I’ll never forget, and I knew that this was an organization and cause that would be special for me during the remainder of my time at Penn State.
“The emotions and excitement with that news were unmatched to anything else I’ve experienced, and I was set out to prepare for probably one of the best weekends of my college career. ”
Because of my committee experience as a sophomore, once junior year approached, I decided to apply for another committee. This time, I was chosen to be a Dancer Relations committee member. These were the people who were in charge of taking care of the dancers during THON weekend in aspects ranging from mental and physical health to just keeping their morale up and positivity flowing. Through this experience, I spent all my time during the weekend on the floor beside all the dancers and other volunteers. That weekend in itself was amazing, as I was able to see firsthand how cancer affects people through the pain that the dancers felt. For those who may not know, the purpose of dancing during THON weekend is to give people a sense of the side effects of cancer that children face on a daily basis; when dancers feel tired or sore, it’s supposed to parallel a child battling cancer receiving chemotherapy, or just feeling weak from other treatments. It’s an incredibly eye-opening concept and truly puts things into perspective for those who have never personally battled the disease.
After my THON experience junior year, I was even more intrigued with the idea of dancing as a senior. This was something I had wanted to do since freshman year, and I believed I would have a good chance of doing so for my final year in college. Not only would dancing represent a culmination of my time at Penn State, but in doing so, I would be making a difference in the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer and to show the world what cancer cannot do.
Halfway through senior year, I found out I was chosen to dance in THON 2020. The emotions and excitement with that news were unmatched to anything else I’ve experienced, and I was set out to prepare for probably one of the best weekends of my college career. Not only would I be standing along with some of my best friends, but I would be standing for the children who battle cancer every day; I’d be standing for something greater than myself.
Like I said before, THON really did happen. Even before I entered the BJC on Friday afternoon, I walked through a “human tunnel” and was cheered on by hundreds of volunteers that were just as proud of me as I was of myself. I sat around for about an hour stretching and mentally preparing myself to be awake and on my feet for 46 hours, then the countdown started for us to stand. Once we all got up, the BJC was full of joy in that we’d be taking this journey together for the next two days all in pursuit of a cure.
Throughout the weekend, I felt and experienced things that I still cannot find the words to describe. I danced along to musical acts that performed at various times, and cried with friends when times were tough. Family and friends were able to visit me on the floor, and I was showered with letters and gifts from them as sources of encouragement and inspiration. I felt incredibly loved and supported all weekend, and that’s what truly kept me going. Not once did I feel so sore that I wouldn’t be able to make it, nor did I feel tired enough to want to go to sleep. If I did, though, I remembered that I was doing this For The Kids and not just myself. Yes, staying awake and moving for 46 hours is nothing short of a personal accomplishment, but it was something that we all selfless did for those who cannot.
46 hours For The Kids and for the families—that’s what THON is all about.
Now, after a week of reflecting, I can honestly say that THON Weekend was the highlight of my time at Penn State. I feel grateful to go to a school that works so hard, and is so passionate, about making a difference in the lives of children and families affected by childhood cancer. It takes a special kind of person to do the things that we, as THON volunteers do here, and I’m surrounded by them each day.
