46 hours of THON 2013: A multimedia blog | Saturday

Story posted February 16, 2013 in News, 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 Saturday, the second day of THON. View more stories from Friday and Sunday.

 

Keeping up the morale
 


 

The work of a moraler for THON lasts more than 46 hours in February. It's a year-round commitment to a cause. For Erika Daley, a first time member of the Morale Committee, her only regret is not joining sooner.

-- by Chanukah Christie

THON volunteer among hundreds marooned in lines outside the BJC
 


Rachel Babcock is a freshman majoring in marketing, who is participating in her first THON as a member of the OPPerations Committee. She spent nearly three hour waiting outside the Bryce Jordan Center to report for her shift Saturday night. Babcock, along with others standing in line, says the wait is well worth the reward of being part of THON.

-- by Lauren O'Malley

 

BJC access frustrates THON visitors
 


Students are dancing their hearts out, Four Diamond kids are running around the Bryce Jordan Center as if it was Disney World and live action packed acts are performing on stage at THON. It is no surprise that tons of people are flocking to join in on the fun -- except they can't get into the Bryce Jordan Center. Luann Byerly, a Penn State alum and past THON dancer, was waiting in line to see her daughter who is a THON chair. She had lots of company.

-- by Ashley Pose

 

Local salon cuts hair being donated to Wigs for Kids
 


Looks Hair Design employee Kelsie Johnson was part of a team of stylists that invaded THON 2013 Saturday afternoon to cut hair being donated to Wigs for Kids.  Students had to apply to have their hair cut, and had to have an available 12 inches in order to be chosen.  Penn State Senior Margot Marquardt was one of the participants chosen, and was excited to donate since she is student teaching in Altoona and cannot participate in THON committees like she's done in years past.  

-- by David Andrews

 

 

Video volunteer
 


Yingting Tsing has been a student at Penn State for two years. Her first THON experience has been operating a video camera for the Thon webcast. She says she is extremely excited to be able to contribute to THON before she goes back to her home in Taiwan, after she  graduates this summer.

-- by Mengqin Cao

 

Dancing to their own beat
 


Andrew Murica, a kinesiology major, and Adam Williamson, a biobehavioral health major, took part in THON Saturday by dancing -- not on the main floor of the Bryce Jordan Center, but in the concourse in front of the concession stands for passerby's entertainment. Murica and Williamson plan to stay at the BJC for at least thirty hours this weekend in hopes to keep people smiling and to continue pumping up the crowd during THON.

-- by Brittany Gehoski

Working a concession stand for THON
 


Freshman Olivia Grazio is taking part in her first THON by working at a concession stand and helping to prepare meals for the dancers. Grazio says the busy hours and long shifts are all worth it as THON is an experience of a lifetime. She looks forward to working the night away and helping in the fight to beat cancer.

-- by Alexandra Burden

 

THON as Work
 

 

Tim Foy’s first experience with THON wasn’t dancing, cheering or dressing up – it was work. He is an event management intern at the Bryce Jordan Center. He spent THON weekend dealing with crowds, and helping with all the behind the scenes work that goes into putting on THON.

-- by Brian Cleary

A major clean-up OPPeration
 

Cleaning the Bryce Jordan Center’s bathroom is not what most students would want to do during THON. However, Amanda Rees and her fellow OPP committee members have no problem cleaning the bathrooms during the 46-hour dance marathon. 

-- Jessica Wabara

THON raffles a European trip and Bon Jovi concert tickets
 

Shannon Howley is in her first year at Penn State and THON. She is already making an impact at the event by helping with the THON raffle. The raffle raises additional funds for the Four Diamonds Foundation throughout THON weekend. Tickets are $5 each and prizes include a laptop computer, tickets to a Bon Jovi concert at the Bryce Jordan Center and a trip to Europe.

-- Billy Kornfeld

 

About the Contributors

Billy Kornfeld's photo

Billy Kornfeld

2013 Graduate / Broadcast Journalism

Billy is in his final semester at Penn State and Comradio. For his final semester he will continue working as a producer for the Penn State Women’s Ice Hockey team. As well as producer and beat writer for the Penn State Lacrosse teams.  Upon graduation he looks to return to the Philadelphia area and be a member of the radio outlets or the newspaper firms in the area such as 94 WIP and the Philadelphia Daily News Along with Broadcasting, Billy will also obtain a minor in Recreation Park and Tourism Management.

Brittany Gehoski's photo

Brittany Gehoski

2012 Graduate / Visual Journalism

Brittany Gehoski is a senior at The Pennsylvania State University majoring in visual journalism with a minor in costume design. She is interested in multimedia and aspires to become a photojournalist after graduation. She enjoys traveling and taking pictures and hopes to pursue a career in fashion.

Brian Cleary's photo

Brian Cleary

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Brian Cleary is studying Broadcast Journalism at Pennsylvania State University. He is interested in a career in radio or TV sports, news or music broadcasting. In addition to his broadcasting strengths, Brian is an aspiring singer/songwriter. His musical experiences of performing in front of crowds, recording albums and videos strengthen his ability to communicate and broaden his knowledge of more advanced media technology.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Brian is just as blue-collar as his hometown. His work ethic and dedication paired with his jovial personality make him an effective and innovative on-air personality. Brian prides himself on his ability to relate to all types of people regardless of age, beliefs, gender, race, or sexual orientation. We are all one, and Brian’s lifelong goal is to provide the masses with a voice that can be understood, respected, and most of all, trusted.

Chanukah Christie's photo

Chanukah Christie

Senior / Broadcast Journalism/Television/Film

Chanukah Christie is a senior majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in english. As a young girl she had dreams of working in television and was passionate about the idea that everyone has a story to tell. While studying broadcast journalism at Penn State she became increasingly interested in the television and film industries. She applied her love for story telling through projects for her broadcast journalism classes and through creating her own short videos.

After graduation her short term goal is to land a production assistant job working in television, film, and commercials to maximize her knowledge of the industry and craft. Chanukah’s long term goal is to become a successful director, producer, and screenwriter.

Jessica Wabara's photo

Jessica Wabara

Senior / Broadcast Journalism and International Relations

During my college career, I have expanded my journalistic skills by interning at Centre County’s Government and Education Channel, being a member of Penn State Network Television and writing for the Daily Collegian, Penn State’s student run paper. I plan on pursing a career in broadcast television or multimedia.

Ashley Pose's photo

Ashley Pose

2013 Graduate / Public Relations, Broadcast Journalism

Coming from a small town, East Stroudsburg Pa, influenced me to branch out. I chose broadcast journalism for my major because of my love for entertainment. I enjoy listening to the radio, catching up on the latest celebrity gossip, going to concerts, watching television shows, and going to see the latest movies. After spending two years at Penn State, I added on public relations. A career in public relations would give me the opportunity to use my passion for the written and spoken word to effectively create communication strategies for clients or to introduce unique marketing tools to any organization.

Lauren O'Malley's photo

Lauren O'Malley

2013 Graduate / Broadcast Journalism

I am a broadcast journalism major graduating in Spring 2013. As a broadcast student, in my future professional field of business, I would be interested in reporting as a field reporter or investigative journalist.​

Alexandra Burden's photo

Alexandra Burden

2013 Graduate / Broadcast Journalism

Alex is a senior studying at the Penn State University majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Communication, Arts and Sciences. Throughout her college career Alex has worked for the University’s student run paper as a part of the sports staff.  She covered women’s gymnastics and field hockey as well as Track & Field. She has taken classes, which helped her put together weekly radio television shows as well as packages for television.  Last summer Alex interned in New York City for The Bill Cunningham show during their second season. There she helped the social media department put together their new website as well as assisted the production team in booking shows.  Alex’s dream job is to one day be a producer of a well known television show.

Mengqin Cao's photo

Mengqin Cao

Senior / Broadcast Journalism and Psychology

I am a double major in Broadcast Journalism and Psychology at the Pennsylvania State University. I have interned at International Channel Shanghai (ICS) in Shanghai Media Group (SMG) in China as a reporter and editor. My diverse cultural background helps me to understand the experiences of immigrants in a foreign country. By using the communication skills I have learned from journalism, I dream of being a psychologist one day.

David Andrews's photo

David Andrews

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

David Andrews is a senior from Baltimore, Md who is studying video, photo and multimedia journalism.