DRCM Preapres for THON
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — THON at Penn State is a special time for the Penn State community. Students from every Penn State campus come together as one community to raise money for pediatric cancer.
However, it is also a very grueling and tiring 46 hours, especially for the dancers that stand for three days straight.
The Dancer Relation Committee Members (DRCM) at THON are some of the most hardworking people on campus.
Isabella Granada became a DRCM because she wanted to experience THON from a different perspective.
“I really like how involved the DRCM’s are with dancers and are really the whole heart of what THON is,” Granada (second-year — public relations and spanish) said.
DRCM’s work shifts from a range of three hours, all the way to seven hours. They provide dancers the food and supplies they need in order to keep standing and dancing. However, the DRCM’s also have to take care of themselves. Granada says that meal prep and sleep are the most important tips.
“Every committee does a really good job checking in on each other throughout the weekend,” Granada said. “Making sure that everyone is doing well mentally, physically and taking their time to rest.”
DRCM’s also provide the necessary encouragement to the dancers to keep standing. Sometimes they will call dancers’ families in order to increase motivation.
Granada is aware of the challenges of being a DRCM. This will be her first time experiencing an in-person THON.
“It's just being very aware of your responsibility as the DRCM. Sometimes you're into a dancer that you are their sole support system.”
Granada and the rest of her committee are looking forward to dancing this year. THON will begin on Friday Feb. 18 and end on Sunday Feb. 20.
Jacob Cheris is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jacobcheris19@gmail.com.
