#STANDOUTFTK: The 2023 THON Showcase

Story posted January 22, 2023 in CommRadio, News by Natalie Simone

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – THON’s popular slogan: “We will dance for a cure” was represented at the 2023 THON Showcase, presented by KCF Technologies, at Penn State’s Schwab Auditorium on Jan. 22 at 7 pm. The philanthropy held a competition between Penn State THON volunteers to win a large donation to amplify five performances and THON experience.

The show was hosted by the THON Showcase Captain, Caroline Pelletier. She was accompanied by 13 performances including various styles of dance, acapella groups, and solo musical performances.

Pelletier shared to the audience that the best five performances will receive generous donations from KCF Technologies, based on the judge’s verdict. The judges: Lily Pevoto, Executive Director of Penn State THON, Anna Sulecki, President of Penn State Performing Arts Council, April Komal, Executive Director of Penn State Homecoming, and two representatives from KCF Technologies, Tim Zaprazny and Dan Kolbe.

Sponsored by KCF Technologies, the showcase interacted with the audience during the 15-minute intermission where a Kahoot allowed one winner to credit their THON organization, along with five random seats being selected to receive donations toward their preferred THON org.

After the 13 performances, full of talent, passion, and energy, a representative from each performance shared what THON means to their organization on stage. The artistic individuals shared their ways of fundraising, their paired THON families, and the joy they have to dance and entertain.

The judge’s based their winners on which performances fulfilled the 2023 theme, #STANDOUTFTK. In 5th place with a $650 donation was Joe Downs. In 4th place was Whiplash Dance Company, earning a $850 donation. The 3rd place winner was Nicolette Cook, representing the dancer relations THON committee (“Running 46 with My Mroz”) and received $1,000 and a performance at the 2023 THON. Orchesis Dance Company placed 2nd and won $2,000 along with a performance during THON weekend.

In 1st place, earning $3,000 and a performance during the 2023 THON weekend was Penn State JaDhoom.

THON, Penn State’s largest student run philanthropy, is an event supported by more than 16,500 Penn State students to raise money for families and children impacted by childhood cancer; over the years, THON, with their beneficiary, Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, has raised over 200 millions dollars, which has allowed more than 4,000 families to treat their child without any hospital costs. On THON weekend, Feb. 17-19, chosen volunteers from Penn State will have a dance marathon for 46-hours, without the ability to sit or sleep at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Along with the THON Showcase, THON hosts many events throughout the school year, as they are a year-round mission. These events include: 100 Days Til THON, THON 5K, Dream Forward Merchandise Auction, and various ‘FTK’s throughout the year. An FTK (For the Kids) is an event where a State College food establishment will donate proceeds to THON and give the ability for customers to credit any organization.

To donate to Penn State’s THON visit https://donate.thon.org

Natalie Simone is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.