Probably the most talked about subject on campus is THON. And for those who, like me, had never of this “THON” before arriving on campus for the first time, uncovering the magic behind the mayhem takes time and a “let it happen” approach. After all, who would think that a weekend of no sleep, no sitting, and walking around in tutus and crazy hats could be received with the overwhelming love and support that it undeniably is? Call us crazy college kids, call us delusional, call us whatever you want. But there is nothing in the world like walking into the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time during THON weekend and finally understanding WHY we do it- why we wear shorts on an otherwise random (and always bitter cold!) weekend in February, why we stand outside in said shorts (and the cold) for hours on end waiting for the BJC to open that Friday afternoon, why college students dress and act like little kids for an entire weekend, why (and how!) tens of thousands of Penn State students are able to raise millions every year, and why we spend 365 days getting ready to do it all over again.

Here are some common phrases you’ll hear year-round about THON:
“One day we will dance in celebration, until then we will dance for a cure.”
We THON so that every cub can grow up to be a Nittany Lion.
We THON to do the impossible- for the cure (FTC) to pediatric cancer.
We THON FTK! (For the Kids!)

Hopefully now you’re asking “how can I get involved in THON?” Worry not my friends, there are many (and easy!) ways to participate in THON. You can join an “Org”, which is a THON Organization, a group specifically focused on raising money throughout the year to benefit THON. There are already dozen of THON “Orgs”, and more are being formed every year. Each Org has a name, like Atlas or Apollo, and many have a trademark accessory or tidbit about them that sets them apart during the year and in the BJC during THON weekend (Atlas wears pink fuzzy hats, another group wears giant fish hats). You basically have your pick of Orgs, its not hard to find one you feel is a good fit. And one of the highlights of joining an Org is being able to travel with them across Pennsylvania and surrounding states during “Canning Weekends” to collect money for THON. I’m sure everyone in Pennsylvania has seen someone from Penn State standing on a corner in the fall holding a metal can and asking for donations. These brave souls are known as “canners”, and I have yet to meet someone who went “canning” and did NOT have the time of their lives. Canning is an experience like any other, and plays a vital role in the fundraising efforts of THON. If you get the chance to go canning with your Org or committee, DO IT! You won’t regret it!

Oh right, I almost forgot about committees! There are fourteen of them (which you can find out more about by going to THON.org), and they comprise of captains and committee members. There are also Directors, which oversee their committee as a whole. For THON 2014 I was a member of Rules & Regulations as a committee member (shout-out to my fellow AmERICAn GladiatoR&Rs, best committee ever!). As a committee member I was one of 15,000 student volunteers who participated during THON weekend to help actually run THON itself. Each type of committee is responsible for a different aspect of THON, whether it be food, selling THON merchandise, security, dancer morale and support, or one of the other million cogs that keeps the engine of THON weekend running smoothly. Rules & Regulations, known affectionately as Rules & Regs or just R&R, is responsible for security, line management, crowd control, and the PASS system (a complicated system that allows people with appropriate passes to go down to the floor-level where the dancers are). R&R members are easily spotted by their red t-shirts, and are the best people to turn to with questions or to ask for directions during THON weekend. R&R members are some of the few people allowed into almost every area of the BJC, and they really know their stuff when it comes to all things THON.

Being a committee member was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my time at Penn State. Not only was I heavily involved with THON weekend, but in the weeks leading up to THON, I made friends and lasting bonds with the other members of my committee, friendships which I will carry with me even after I graduate. Committees typically meet once a week in the evening (so as not to conflict with classes) starting in October, and that time is spent learning about our specific responsibilities as part of THON, spreading the word about THON to (and sometimes raising money from) friends and family, and growing closer as a committee. By the time THON weekend rolls around, you will trust your fellow committee members more than you thought capable (and have plenty of inside jokes, I assure you!), and have friends with whom you will share the incomparable experience that is THON weekend.

This year, please consider getting involved in THON in some way, whether that be by joining an Org or a committee, or by supporting other clubs and activities in their THON endeavors (most clubs, activities, and sports teams get involved in THON in one way or another). Many THON Orgs will have booths at the involvements fairs in the HUB during the first week of classes, and information about Orgs and committee applications can be found on THON.org under the “Students” drop-down tab where it says “Get Involved” (or you can just click on the links). And no matter which path you choose, get ready to learn the 2015 THON “line dance” (You’ll find out about that gem soon enough 😉 ).

I can’t wait to hear all about your experiences with THON and to hear why you THON!

For the Kids,
~Olivia

“THON is not just trying to find a cure for cancer.
THON is doing the impossible.”