46 hours of THON 2013: A multimedia blog | Sunday

Story posted February 17, 2013 in THON 2013 by Penn State College of Communications.

The organizers of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon -- better known as THON -- estimate that 15,000 students participate directly in the event, which last year raised more than $10 million to benefit the families of children with cancer. On the University Park campus, nearly all of the 40,000 students come in contact with the 46-hour event, one way or another. These are their stories from Sunday, the final day of THON. View more stories from Friday and Saturday.

And the total is ... another record for THON
 


After 46 hours on their feet, the dancers get to sit down and learn how successful they've been in helping to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund. The effort in 2013 did not disappoint.

-- by the College of Communications webcast team

Picturing the best of THON
 



A collection of the best photos from College of Communication students taken over the 46 hours of THON 2013

-- by the College of Communications photojournalism students

A different viewpoint
 


International student Daniel Tshieh describes his thoughts on THON as a foreigner and how his experiences may influence his life in the future and the way he related to other people.  

-- by Michael Benavides

Dialing for dollars
 


Penn State student Jared Mihaly raises money for THON by making calls for Lion Line. Mihaly has raised $55,000 calling for alumni relations.

-- by Wilson Maguwah

Over-capacity BJC leaves a Moraler's mom out in the cold
 


Anita Muhammed, parent of moraler Shahkila Daniels, traveled to State College to support and assist her daughter all weekend. Instead, she was disappointed to find herself marooned in long lines outside the Bryce Jordan Center. After experiencing an extended wait Saturday she slept in her car in the BJC parking lot overnight, waking up at 4 a.m. to get in line again. On Sunday, after waiting for hours in the cold, she learned that the BJC was over capacity and she wouldn't be able to attend THON.

-- by Amanda Rodriguez
 

I THON for Sydney
 



For Alexis Rogers the motivation to dance comes from her cousin Sydney who died at a young age.

-- by Kimberly Valarezo

Dancing for her dad
 


 

2013 THON dancer Aleeza Michael dances in memory of her father and in honor of her mother. She is one of six dancers for the special interest organization FOTO. Michael kept a positive attitude the entire 46 hours, and stresses that there is a light at the end of every tunnel.

-- by Sara Selverian

Staying connected to THON
 


Lauren Busik is a Penn State alum who lives four hours away from the University Park campus in New Hope, Pa. Every year she tunes into social media and the news to get updates on THON. She says she is surprised at the progress of technology, she never thought it would be this easy to stay connected. Busik donates to THON every year so it's a special moment for her to see where her contributions are going when they reveal the total at the end of the weekend.

-- by Jenna Busik

 

Preparing to go on stage
 


Dominique Smith rehearses with the Alpha Omega Step Team as the group prepares to perform at THON Sunday. Smith is a junior at Penn State and is a captain on the step team.

-- by Wildamie Ceus 

 

Inspired to help
 


 

It’s Brittany Trappe’s first year being a moraler.The first time she saw people at THON she made up her mind that she would be on the ground one day, accompanying the dancers, the kids and their family.

-- by Siru Wen

Keeping the BJC clean is a challenging OPPeration
 


Sabrina Stewart is apart of the THON OPPerations committee. During THON, they were responsible for cleaning, sweeping and picking up trash. The committee also played with the Four Diamonds children and were in charge of cleaning the Bryce Jordan Center floor at the event level when the dancers were finished.

-- by Jasmine Janifer

 

Small groups, big efforts
 



While THON is a major collaboration of student groups, there are many organizations that play minor but essential roles. This is the 'Plight of the Small Org'. Despite not receiving much recognition for their efforts, small organizations put in countless hours and work to do their part for THON. For the Orthodox Christian Fellowship org, or OCF, every ounce of effort is worth it, even without the recognition.

-- by Sallie Sharer

 

First THON, First Person
 



As a senior at Penn State, it’s hard for anyone to believe that I had never been to THON. I’ve been anticipating this for a long time and after the long wait…I made it! I was overcome with pride to be a part of this University. Here is my story.

-- by Lauren Weaver

Together we can
 


 

Dancing in THON for the first time was an inspirational time for Stephanie Liu and helped her get through the 46-hour-long marathon.

- Yujun Shao

 

If it's lost, she found it
 


Keegan Carroll joined a THON communications committee during her freshman year. The sophomore enjoyed being a part of THON so much that she returned this year.  Her duties include answering guest's questions, organizing the lost and found, and waking up THON committee captains.

-- by Paul Sweeney

 

Going to the well
 


Even in 46 hours, not everyone can take the stage at THON to express their hopes and dreams. So THON organizers have responded by setting up wishing wells at strategic points on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center so the dancers and their supporters can put pen to paper and share their thoughts.

-- by Dave Cole

 

 

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About the Contributors

Dave Cole's photo

Dave Cole

Senior / Visual Journalism and Political Science

Dave is a Senior majoring in Visual Journalism and Political Science. He is a photographer and the Assistant Managing Editor for Onward State, as well as the treasurer of the National Press Photographer’s Association (NPPA) Penn State chapter.

Dave also does visual design work for TEDxPSU.

To see more of Dave’s photography, follow him on twitter @DaveColePhoto and view his Onward State work onwardstate.com/author/davecole

 

Yujun Shao's photo

Yujun Shao

Junior / Advertising

Yujun is currently a junior majoring in advertising. Her career goal is to pursue a job in the communication and/or marketing field. Other than traditional advertising, she is interested and skilled in photography, photo-editing, video-editing and audio-editing. As an international student, Yujun’s multicultural background has provided her creative and unique prospective to express her understanding of what she sees through her works. Yujun is still learning and looking for opportunities to have practical experience.

Contact at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

siru wen's photo

siru wen

senior / broadcast; photography

Hi,I’m a senior, double majored in Broadcast and photography. I like working on anything creative. I have experiences in documentary film, fictional film, fine art and commercial photography. I’m really passionate and also confident about what I am doing. I’m thinking of pursuing in the field of film production in the future.

SallieSharer's photo

SallieSharer

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

I am projected to graduate from the Pennsylvania State University College of Communications with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in communication arts & sciences and in the Liberal Arts.

With a strong passion for sports, I spent my college years contributing to the Daily Collegian as a sports writer. (A detailed synopsis of my time spent there can be found in my Resume pdf file.)

I gained a marketing internship with Penn State Sports Properties, a Learfield Property, where I explored the marketing aspects in the sports industry.

Also, in my final semester at Penn State I gained an internship with GoPSUSports.com covering women’s gymnastics.

I am currently seeking a full-time position where I can combine my professional experience, studies, and aspirations in the public relations sphere of a corporation or sports team.


saraselverian's photo

saraselverian

Graduating Junior / Broadcast Journalism and Political Science

I have strong academic, cultural and political service in the U.S. and abroad. I am multilingual, highly traveled, and skilled in public speaking, writing, and broadcast Journalism.
I am passionate about helping those in need. I actively lead several organizations. I am planning a life of public service with studies in communication, political science and law.

Lauren Weaver's photo

Lauren Weaver

Senior / Visual Journalism

Lauren Weaver is a senior at Penn State who will be graduating in May 2013 with a Baccalaureate degree in Visual Journalism with a minor in International Studies.

She has a great deal of experience in the travel industry, working as a Production’s Assistant for the online travel company, Travelscream, Inc., two years. During her career, she used a variety of online marketing techniques to increase visibility in search result pages and helped maintain social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to increase global brand exposure. She also assisted in the management of daily production and distribution of travel deal promotions, deal newsletters and blog posts. She was given the opportunity to blog Travelscream’s website and with this opportunity she was able to independently research and write about areas of travel that she believe are interesting and important.

During the fall semester of her senior year, she interned with The National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. The internship was a hands-on opportunity where she was able to learn online content planning, production and publishing for a major media website. She also researched and wrote short pieces for National Geographic Traveler’s award-winning blog, Intelligent Travel.

Upon graduation she hopes to travel, write and learn more about the world around her.

Tauya Wilson Maguwah's photo

Tauya Wilson Maguwah

Senior / Broadcast Journalism & African Studies

Tauya (TAH-WOOYA) Wilson Moses Chengerai Maguwah is a trilingual student-athlete from Harare, Zimbabwe. Currently he is completing his degree in Broadcast Journalism and African Studies. At Penn State, Maguwah plays on the Rugby team and does community service for a non-profit organization called Nets4Nets, a group that helps diminish malaria in parts of Africa.
Maguwah began his broadcasting career while he interned as a television reporter for WHVL-TV in State College. While he was a junior, Tauya started his own online talk-show called the Zimbabwe Box. On the Zimbabwe Box he broadcasts and teaches Shona, Swahili, and Xhosa.
In the future Maguwah wants to work in the United States and then become an international reporter in England or Australia. His ultimate goal is to start a TV station in Zimbabwe. Maguwah’s hobbies includes playing the saxophone, piano, writing poetry, volunteer work, and rugby

Paul Sweeney's photo

Paul Sweeney

2013 Graduate / Broadcast Journalism and Political Science

Paul Sweeney studied broadcast journalism and political science at penn State.  He has interned at EAGLE 98.7 in State College, PA and C-SPAN in Washington, D.C.  Paul plans on pursuing a career in television reporting.

Jenna Busik's photo

Jenna Busik

2013 Graduate / Journalism

Jenna is a Senior Broadcast Journalism major, Communication Arts and Sciences minor. Jenna has interned with Fox News and NBC News both located in Washington D.C. as well as WTAJ in State College, Pa. She hopes to work behind the scenes in production and also in front of the camera.

Jasmine Janifer's photo

Jasmine Janifer

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

I am currently a senior Broadcast Journalism major and Sociology minor at Penn State University. My main career focus is to work in the social media industry. I have taken communication courses at Penn State that have prepared and strengthened my skills in writing as well as broadcasting. I have participated on a showed called “The-U” with the PSU-TV club on campus during my junior year and I have written several fashion articles for an online blog called The Urban Revival.

Kimberly Valarezo's photo

Kimberly Valarezo

Junior / Print Journalism

Kimberly Valarezo is currently a junior majoring in print journalism with a minor in Italian. She hopes to one day become the creative director of a major fashion magazine. She is currently the president of Penn State’s chapter of ED2010, a club that gives aspiring magazine editors networking opportunities. She is also a fashion writer for Valley, Penn State’s life and style magazine, a Diversity Ambassador for the College of Communications and the spring 2013 editorial intern for The Penn Stater, Penn State’s alumni magazine. During summer 2012, she interned in the fashion department of Marie Claire magazine in New York City. She also interned in the fashion department of O, The Oprah Magazine during the 2012-2013 winter break. Through her connections at her various internships, Kimberly hopes to secure an entry-level position at a fashion magazine upon graduation.