At 6 p.m. on Friday, 592 dancers will stand for the first-ever virtual THON. While THON 2021 will look a little different this year, its dancers are showing their passion for the cause as much or more than ever before.
Now in its 44th year of supporting the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, THON has raised more than $180 million for pediatric cancer patients and their families while also providing them with emotional support and raising awareness.
Earlier this week, Onward State
asked dancers to share why they are dancing in THON. Here are just a few of the responses received.
Earlier this week, we
asked dancers to share why they are dancing in THON. Here are just a few of the responses we received.
Kristen Benson, Association Of Preprofessional Pediatric Specialists (APPS)
Why are you dancing in THON?
When I was younger, I lost my close friend to pediatric cancer. She was an amazing person, and she has been my core inspiration for my involvement in THON. When I came to Penn State as a freshman, I joined an organization that has 3 amazing THON children. Each of those kids is so strong, and will always be one of the best parts of my THON involvement.
For the first time in its four years of existence, the THON Showcase took place over a livestream Monday night. Although virtual, the showcase was still able to bring the same excitement and energy as years past.
The event, which was sponsored by First National Bank, had representatives from 15 different THON organizations perform different talents and acts. These groups included Penn State CrossFit, Tapestry Dance Company, The Statesmen, Eclipse, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Orchesis Dance Company, Supply Logistics Captain Committee, Donor Alumni Relations, Penn State Thespian Society, DoofenSchwartz Evil Inc., Penn State Dance Alliance, JulManji and FOTO.
Kelsey Wolf, the THON Showcase chair, opened up the night by introducing the judges of the performances. Wolf also introduced the acts before they performed. Before the event began, she announced that 10 random people watching the livestream would receive a $275 donation for their THON organizations.
The event took place virtually this year and featured a slew of both virtual and recorded events.
The show’s fourth-place performer was Grace Kave, who represented Penn State Crossfit with a medley of songs as the first act of the evening.
Hailey Burbage represented JULmanji: Dancer Relations Committee and took third place.
Eclipse’s Daniel Tracht and Jake Maloney took second place and will also perform at THON Weekend. Last year, Tracht and Maloney were part of a trio of members from Eclipse
Later, Tapestry Dance Company took the stage following Kave’s performance and danced to “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice. The five performers all danced from individual locations but were edited together.