It is a scene like none other. For those of you who have been part of THONs past, you know.
Where else can you go to experience the energy of a truly altruistic group of college students — complete with water pistols, balloons, games, plungers, hula hoops, crazy socks, line dances, pep rallies, inspirational speeches from some of Penn State’s most notable personalities, incredibly choreographed performances and 46 hours of no sleep?
And it is all … FOR THE KIDS … to continue Penn State’s 37-year tradition of saving children from the grip of pediatric cancer.
Thanks to our chapter’s yearlong canning and fundraising efforts, we contributed $46,060 toward Penn State’s $13,343.517.33 total that will be given to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
Dancer Lauren Scamdone joins Phi Sigma Kappa brothers (l-r) Christian Guerriero and Anthony Scaringelli.
On Saturday afternoon, Jay Paterno — former assistant football coach and son of Joe Paterno — paid a visit to the THON dancers. He summarized the impact of pediatric cancer in a very powerful way. “A couple of weeks ago, I was in Hershey and toured the children’s hospital. The woman who runs the Four Diamonds Fund was asked what the survival rate was. She said, ‘We save four out of every five children here.’ I couldn’t bear to be without one of my five kids. Think about that. That is why you are here … because we are going to make it five out of every five … Every year you do this, we are knocking at the door a little more and a little more. In the very near future, Penn State students are going to kick in that damn door.”
As the crowd erupted in screams and applause, parents could be seen holding tightly to those THON children who have embraced the hearts of our Greek community at Penn State. It is the power of hope … hope for one more day, week, month or year … that our chapter is helping to give to families across the state. We are fortunate to be part of such a life-giving effort at Penn State that does, in fact, redefine the possibilities.
Also speaking to the dancers was Penn State’s newly appointed football coach, James Franklin. “Everybody thinks that what makes us special is the football stadium or the basketball arena. That has nothing to do with what makes us special. What makes us special is the people … the people that understand we are part of something greater than just ourselves. We can make a difference in people’s lives.”
So, thank you to our dancers, brothers who stood by the dancers, captains, parents who attended, alumni who stopped by and to the entire THON organization for its incredible support. This is why … WE ARE.
Take a few minutes to check out these links and some of the most memorable moments from THON 2014:
ABC World News Tonight Coverage
Coach Franklin Speaks at THON 2014
Jay Paterno Speaks at THON 2014
THON 2014 Pep Rally Dance – Men’s Football Team
THON 2014 Pep Rally Dance – Men’s Basketball Team
THON 2014 Pep Rally Dance – Men’s Swimming Team
THON 2014 Pep Rally Dance – Women’s Volleyball
