From the outside, Penn State’s THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world — a one-weekend affair dedicated to fundraising for pediatric cancer. However, every Penn Stater knows that long before over 15,000 people fill the Bryce Jordan Center for the 46-hour dance marathon and long after the confetti is swept out of the facility, THON is an inexplicable celebration of a yearlong effort that is much more multifaceted than meets the eye. Finding the words to explain THON to someone who has yet to experience the weekend is challenging. Not only is the event different for everyone, filled with sentiment and the highs and lows of standing (no sitting!) for hours on end with all your friends and children affected by cancer, it is also a complex tradition.
What can be explained, however, is the THON lingo. Whether you are a freshman about to experience your first THON weekend or a senior about to dance, THON terminology can be foreign. Here is your guide on THON vocabulary to help you better understand just one of the many exclusive customs of Penn State.
THON – A term coined by Penn State, short for dance marathon. THON started in 1973 and to date, over $136,000,000 has been raised #FTK!
FTK – “For the Kids”; the reason we dance. At other schools, FTK is often the organization that hosts their dance-a-thon — but at Penn State, it’s more of a phrase and THON is the umbrella in which all other orgs fall under.
Four Diamonds Fund – THON’s sole beneficiary that funds critical cancer research and covers any financial concerns the THON families are met with.
Hershey Medical Center – The hospital that receives the donations from THON. The children of the Four Diamonds Fund reside here during treatment.
The logo – This changes from year to year in accordance with the slogan. This year’s is a firefly with the slogan “Igniting Hope Within,” and last year’s was a spaceship for “Believe Beyond Boundaries.”
THON Family – Every organization (special interest, Greek life, etc.) has families they essentially sponsor. They get to bond with these families and even visit their THON child during treatment or stay at their house during canning trips. Currently, 3,700 families have been helped by THON.
Canning – A way orgs fundraise. Canning trips are common in the fall, when groups of people leave State College and spend their weekend in public areas getting donations and bonding at their host’s house. THON has chosen to phase out canning due to the liabilities associated with students travelling, but canvassing (door-to-door fundraising) will remain.
Dancer – Dancing in THON is one of the greatest honors for a Penn State student and is a very competitive process. There are about 700 dancers, mostly juniors and seniors, who have worked all year to earn their spot on the floor. You can dance representing your organization or attempt to dance independently. Independent dancers spend their year fundraising at least $10,000 and get entered into a selective lottery. Dancers do not take a single break (no sitting and no sleeping) for 46 hours and spend their time interacting with the kids and doing the line dance.
Floor pass – The floor is for dancers, their moralers, special committee members and THON families. Everyone else is in a designated area depending on their org. Dancers get to select people who can visit them at specific times on the floor.
Committees – THON would not be possible without the various committees that organize, manage and assist with events and procedures before and during the weekend. Committees range from Dancer Relations to Special Events to Hospitality to OPPerations to Merchandise and so on. Committees are composed of multiple Captains and one director.
Captain – THON committees and orgs have captains who manage various responsibilities including delegating tasks to their committee members to prepare for the weekend. You can always spot them at THON in their unique apparel and headsets.
Diamond Guide – The official magazine of THON’s history, from past dancers to past totals. You can buy it now for $5 and all the proceeds will go to THON: lin
Family hour – One of the best and most highly anticipated events of the weekend that occurs on Sunday during the final four hours. THON families get to share how THON has impacted their lives. You will need tissues.
Final Four – The last four hours of the 46-hour extravaganza.
The Big Reveal – This is when the THON total is revealed and the orgs who raised the most money are announced.
100 Days – On a date in early November year to year there are 100 days until THON. THON orgs celebrate this to continue to raise awareness for THON in addition to gain momentum as the final crunch for fundraising ensues. Other events leading up to THON similar to 100 Days are the THON 5K, THON Family Carnival and The Road to THON celebration.
Line Dance – Dancers are not allowed to know the time at any point in the weekend, but roughly every hour the Dancer Relations (DR) captains perform a line dance that changes year to year and includes the latest pop-culture dance trends.
Lion Shrine – The orgs that fundraise the most year to year receive this honor – currently this is the special interest organization, Atlas, and the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Lion Shrine recipients get first choice at prime seating in the BJC when the weekend comes.
Pep rally – Various athletic teams and orgs perform for the BJC on Saturday evening. This is easily one of the most entertaining events at THON.
Now that you can speak THON, consider donating to the amazing cause FTK! Click here to learn more about THON and how you can contribute. Her Campus at Penn State hopes you are able to get involved and experience THON weekend — a tradition unparalleled by any other occasion at Penn State. If you want to celebrate THON outside of State College, click here to learn how!
“We THON so every cub can grow up to be a Nittany Lion”
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