Sights and sounds of THON 2020
THON estimates that about one in three undergraduates at University Park, more than 16,000 students, participate directly in the 46-hour charity event.
Since its inception has raised more than $150 million to benefit the families of children with cancer. The organization bills itself as the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, both in revenue and volunteer participation. For one weekend every year, THON takes over the Bryce Jordan Center and becomes the focus of activity at University Park.
This coverage is organized by time, from most recent to preparing for the event. If you're new to THON, Centre County Report reprter Jamie Burton provides a preview of the event.
THON has this interactive timeline that charts the history of the event.
CommMedia has a comprehensive timeline of all of 2020 social media coverage.
CommMedia coverage of past THONs has been archived by date:
This blog organizes coverage by day and time:
- Sunday: On the home stretch
- Saturday: In Rhythm
- Friday evening: Launch time
- Preparation
- Timeline: THON 2020
Sunday: The Reveal
After 46 hours of adrenaline, the final burst of energy sweeps across the Bryce Jordan Center as the total is revealed, surpassing the previous year's find-raising by just more than a million dollars.
Sunday: On the home stretch
Dancer Keith Rieser's mom, Sue, drove to University Park to support her son, then waited outside the Bryce Jordan Center on a beautiful spring day for him to emerge after 46 hours on his feet.
Sue Rieser shares her #THON2020 expierence as Keith Rieser’s supportive mom for the fourth year in a row. #commthon2020
— Lauren M Ansell (@LaurenAnsell21) February 23, 2020
(2/23 2:15pm) pic.twitter.com/RqHazwPLhF
This super senior engineering student treasures her experience of going to THON as a sophomore, but chose to study Sunday afternoon as events at the Bryce Jordan Center approached their peak.
This crew of volunteers was still going strong in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
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Penn State sophomore Lailah Goldberg is working her second THON as a member of the Rules and Regulations Committee. Despite being on the job well after midnight, and spending much of her time saying, "No," Goldberg still has a positive attitude. She says she was inspired To volunteer at THON by one friend and has stayed after making many, many more friends.
Penn State sophomore Lailah Goldberg talks about her job at THON! #COMMTHON2020 pic.twitter.com/SpczBvrPw2
— rachel gelfand (@rachelanita12) February 23, 2020
Many of the fund-raising organizations at THON have been active for years. And, as this series of images shows, some reflect evolving student interests and are new.
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Saturday: In Rhythm
Energy radiates out of the Bryce Jordan Center when a popular band takes the stage.
Confetti falls in the Bryce Jordan Center as Cash Cash performs at THON #commthon2020 pic.twitter.com/7Fb6FpNfkm
— Christina Veintimilla (@ChristinaVeinti) February 23, 2020
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THON isn't just about what happens on the main floor of the Bryce Jordan Center. Most people attending the event take turns occupying the seats above the dancers and THON families. They stand in solidarity. Many are there to cheer on specific dancers:
A giant print-out of dancer Alicia Santarsiero’s face is waved around by her friend Gabriella Sinatra. Both are students at Penn State Scranton. Saturday at 4pm. #COMMTHON2020 pic.twitter.com/S6crtM7Hp9
— Lillian Swartzell (@LillySwartzell) February 22, 2020
Some people dress up to stand out in the crowd.
Alex Devic, a Penn State grad student in computer science, goes all out with his outfit for his 5th THON. Saturday at 3pm. #COMMTHON2020 pic.twitter.com/pARi7QzXPY
— Lillian Swartzell (@LillySwartzell) February 22, 2020
Meanwhile, across the state and away from the crowded BJC, a THON fund-raiser sends out thank you notes during the event to her donors
Penn State student Lauren, writes thank you cards to all her generous donors. She has raised over $1000 to support Four Diamond families and THON. #COMMTHON2020
— Melina Chumley (@ChumleyMelina) February 23, 2020
11:02 pm pic.twitter.com/EQvYEvZXGM
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One of the featured elements of THON is a line dance specific to that year's year's theme.
shot at 12:47 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22nd, 2020. The dance and relations captain takes the stage to perform the line dance with a special little guest. #commthon2020 pic.twitter.com/C30c3ltUuh
— Amanda Thieu (@MandaThieu) February 22, 2020
Each of the thousands of students participating in THON has a story behind why they are there. Here is a sampling, from in the stands and on the BJC dance floor.
Gaby Klein, senior, dancing in THON 2020 describes why she thons. @webcurtpsu pic.twitter.com/WwML80LwEf
— Amanda Thieu (@MandaThieu) February 22, 2020
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Friday evening: Launch time
Students and THON families pack the Bryce Jordan Center as the event begins.
Friday 9:21pm—Singer Daya came to show her support on stage at THON! #commthon2020 pic.twitter.com/4GK17RQuxC
— Paige Hooven (@hooven_paige) February 22, 2020
Student-run 46 Live streams the event through the THON's website, allowing alums to follow the event across the state and around the world.
Cornell University student, Emma Ungar, was supposed to visit Penn State this weekend to support her friends dancing in THON but unfortunately something came up! Click below to see what happened!#COMMTHON2020
— Melina Chumley (@ChumleyMelina) February 21, 2020
6:13 pm pic.twitter.com/BlFzUuhAXq
Preparing for THON
Staying awake and standing for 46 hours straight is no easy task. Reagan Mulholland, a senior majoring in Photojournalism, was chosen to be an independent dancer for THON 2020 after she experienced THON for the first time last year. Mulholland was able to be on the floor last year for one of her classes where she experienced first hand all of the work that went into the event and decided she wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself.
~ Video reporting by Caitlin Lee
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Timeline: THON 2020
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About the Contributors
Ethan Cook
Senior / Broadcast Journalism
Ethan is a play-by-play announcer for CommRadio who is aspiring to be a college football analyst for either a major sports network or a college radio station.
Jeremy Ganes
Senior / Journalism
Jeremy Ganes is an aspiring sports broadcaster and journalist at Penn State. He writes articles, produces broadcasts, and announces games for the CommRadio sports department. He also co-hosts an NFL-focused talk show called 4th & Long that airs live on CommRadio, alongside DJ Bauer. In addition to CommRadio content, Jeremy also assists in production and serves as an on-air personality to the PSNtv show Penn State Sports Night, where he covers sports such as baseball and football. He is also a reporter and producer for the Centre County Report. He can be contacted at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Caitlin Lee
Senior / Photojournalism
I work as a photographer and photo copy desk at the Daily Collegian. I previously worked as a visuals intern at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in the summer of 2018. I was also a participant in the Student Newsroom for the 2019 Online News Association. I aspire to be a sports photographer working for a professional team or media company.
Lauren Ansell
Junior / Digital and Print Journalism
I am the News Writer for the Rock Ethics Institute and the Marketing Assistant for PRPS. I’m searching for a summer internship in either multimedia journalism or marketing.
Rachel Gelfand
Senior / Broadcast Journalism
Rachel Gelfand is a senior from York, Pennsylvania pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in psychology. Post-graduation, she aspires to become a content creator or work in the social media sector. In the summer of 2019, she was a social media and communications intern for Volograms, a technology startup based in Dublin, Ireland.
Amanda Thieu
Senior / Photojournalism/Pre-Law
I am currently a photographer for Onward State. My minor is currently Visual Arts and I aspire to go to law school after graduation.
Paige Hooven
Senior / Broadcast Journalism
I aspire to produce and edit when I graduate school. Last summer, I had the opportunity to intern with Philadelphia’s country radio station 92.5 XTU.
Christina Veintimilla
Senior / Photojournalism
Previously worked as a Marketing/Banking Services intern at Centennial Commercial Finance Group located in New York, NY. Looking to continue working in marketing/communications in the New York City area.
Elizabeth Irvin
Senior / Communications
After graduation I aspire to be a television or radio producer. I have worked with television and radio in a college setting and have worked on a wide variety of multimedia projects.
Melina Chumley
Senior / Broadcast Journalism
When I graduate college I hope to work in Public Relations for a Philadelphia sports team. I interned at a local gym this past summer and helped maintain their social media accounts.
Lillian Swartzell
Senior / Digital and Print Journalism
I help create videos for VALLEY magazine, and previously wrote articles for Penn State’s HerCampus Chapter. My minor is in entrepreneurship and innovation. I plan to graduate in Spring 2020.
Kayla Simmons
Senior / Broadcast Journalism & Psychology
Kayla is a senior majoring in Broadcast Journalism and Psychology with a minor in Korean. She has done a multimedia journalism project through the 2019 Lens Collective Workshop held by Ole Miss.
Joseph Harre
Senior / Broadcast Journalsim
Summer 2019 Game Day Operations Intern at Reading United. Senior Broadcast Journalism Student at Penn State University.