CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — The Penn State Lehigh Valley Benefiting THON club announced their dancers for Penn State University’s THON, the annual 46-hour no-sleeping, no-sitting dance marathon, which will be held Feb. 16 to 18, 2018, at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park.
THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer, with the mission to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research.
The students who were chosen to represent Penn State Lehigh Valley Benefiting THON this year are Kenny Chang, Ethan Freiss and Emine Limani.
Kenny Chang is a sophomore at Penn State Lehigh Valley majoring in supply chain management.
Q: Why did you want to become a THON dancer?
Chang: “I wanted to become a dancer ever since my sister introduced me to THON back when she attended Penn State Lehigh Valley. She showed me what THON was and she took me up to THON weekend. That experience ignited the flame for me to become a dancer when I came here to Lehigh Valley. Being a general member my freshman year and experiencing it first hand and supporting my dancers increased my desire to be one.”
Q: How do you plan on preparing for the THON dance marathon?
Chang: “I plan on preparing by doing my usual routine of running and eating healthy. Also, I will probably try to stand for long periods of time to prepare for THON weekend.”
Q: What does it mean to you to be chosen to dance for THON?
Chang: “Being chosen as a THON dancer is such an honor for me. I was so nervous when our chairperson Devrajsinh Jadeja was announcing it; it feels great to be chosen.”
Ethan Freiss is a sophomore at Penn State Lehigh Valley majoring in chemical engineering.
Q: Why did you want to become a THON dancer?
Freiss: “I wanted to become one because I want to dance for all the children who are currently fighting pediatric cancer, including those who have won their fight with pediatric cancer, and those who lost their battle with cancer. THON and the Four Diamonds Fund provides an awesome opportunity to alleviate the pain and suffering these kids go through. I want to be there down on the dance floor with the kids.”
Q: How do you plan on preparing for the THON dance marathon?
Freiss: “I plan on preparing for THON like running in an endurance race or athletic competition. I also plan to keep on eating healthy food and cutting out those that aren’t, and training by exercising.”
Q: What does it mean to you to be chosen to dance for THON?
Freiss: “Being chosen as a dancer for THON means a lot to me. I am honored to be representing Penn State Lehigh Valley as a dancer during THON Weekend.”
Emine Limani is a sophomore at Penn State Lehigh Valley majoring in Early Childhood Education.
Q: Why did you want to become a THON dancer?
Limani: “I wanted to become a dancer for THON mainly for the kids. One of my cousins was diagnosed with cancer at an extremely young age and it was the first time I ever saw the effects of cancer on a family with my own eyes. Supporting my family during that difficult time completely changed my perspective on life. An abundant amount of people are given a healthy life with the ability to help others in need, and being a THON dancer helps inspire so many children. I wanted to be a THON dancer to become an inspiration, a distraction, and a symbol of hope for children who have been diagnosed with cancer.”
Q: How do you plan on preparing for the THON dance marathon?
Limani: “I plan on preparing to become a THON dancer by altering my thought process. I need to discover ways to learn how to distract my mind from feeling tired or exhausted. I plan on thinking about all of the children who will benefit from THON as motivation to continue standing. The big reveal at the end is going to be the moment when I realize that Penn State as a community has the power to make a positive change in the lives of others.”
Q: What does it mean to you to be chosen to dance for THON?
Limani: “My name was the last name to be revealed and waiting to hear it was almost painful. I was nervous and anxious while I saw Kenny and Ethan react. When my name was called I had no idea how to react and I was shocked and speechless. I am grateful that I was chosen to represent Penn State Lehigh Valley at THON weekend. It is something that I will always remember and will positively change me forever.”