The Bryce Jordan Center arena explodes into applause as the THON 2015 total of 13,026,653.23 is revealed Feb. 22. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon hauled in another massive fundraising total this year: $13,026,653.23 for the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.
The 43rd year of THON ran from Feb. 20 to 22 as dancers stood for 46 hours without sleep in the Bryce Jordan Center. The funds are used to cover the treatment costs for pediatric cancer patients as well as support cancer research.
Schreyer Honors College senior Elizabeth Yerger learned the line dance from the stands Feb. 20 at THON 2015, which runs through Feb. 22 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State students in the Tapestry Dance Company flashed the sign for the Four Diamonds Fund on Feb. 20 at THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
THON "Moraler" Brittany Robbins, a sophomore studying speech pathology, greets dancers making their way into the Bryce Jordan Center for the first day of THON 2015 on Feb. 20. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately known as THON, is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Nittany Lion and other dancers made their way into the Bryce Jordan Center before THON 2015 on Feb. 20. Senior Michael Valania, the man behind the mascot, is a dancer this year. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State alumnus Josh Johnson, with backing from Blue Band drummers, warmed up the crowd with his tap dancing skills at the beginning of THON 2015 on Feb. 20. Johnson has performed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "ABC World News" and other national TV programs. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Cecil Blutcher took the stage Feb. 20 at THON 2015. Blutcher, a master of fine arts student in theater from Chicago, performed "Goodmorning Amen," a song he posted to the Internet for download shortly after. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
THON dancer Maura Swisher, a senior studying finance, celebrates on the arena floor shortly after dancers stood up to kick-off the first hour of THON 2015 on Feb 20. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
While Penn Staters danced at the Bryce Jordan Center, students like junior Kristin Macom hit the phones Feb. 20 for the Lion Line telefund, raising money for the Four Diamonds Fund. In just a few hours, students brought in more than $15,000 from Lion Line's downtown call center. To donate, call 800-392-THON. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
The dance floor was awash with color Feb. 20 in the early hours of THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Hospitality committee members Ananya Anmangandla, left, a sophomore studying chemistry, and Jimmy Trinh, a senior studying computer engineering, serve meals to dancers at THON 2015 on Feb. 20. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
Corban Potter, a member of a Four Diamonds family, painted Feb. 20 inside The Cove, an area where families can relax inside the Bryce Jordan Center during THON. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Gatorade and water awaited thirsty THON dancers Feb. 20. During a typical THON weekend, 46,800 bottles of water and Gatorade are consumed. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Senior Regina Wilson made sandwiches for hungry dancers during her Hospitality Committee shift Feb. 20 at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Journalism students in the College Communications are running a photo booth throughout THON weekend, asking people "Why do you THON?" Dancing Relations committee member Kim Sterner gave her answer Feb. 20. For more information on the project, go to http://www.pjatpsu.com/instathon2015/. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Five-year-old Hope catches a ride on the shoulders of her friend and neighbor, Elizabeth Grobinski, on Friday night, Feb. 20, at THON 2015 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Hope’s parents, Chris and Melissa Roslevege, were guest speakers at the Jan. 29 THON kickoff dinner, and Elizabeth’s brother, Matt, is a member of THON’s Rules and Regulations committee. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Megan Grant, right, and her mother, Gaynor, dance the line dance together on Friday night, Feb. 20, at THON 2015. Gaynor and her husband, Dan, drove from Pittsburgh to support Megan, a senior in architectural engineering who is dancing for the Smuckers family. “Sometimes we [people] can get very absorbed in ourselves,” said Megan, “THON gives us the opportunity to take a step back and do something for others. Why do I dance? For the fun of it, and for the kids -- could it be any better than that?” Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Four Diamonds Fund mom Galadriel and son Logan have fun squirting water at the dancers -- and everyone else -- during Friday night’s THON activities in the Bryce Jordan Center on Feb. 20. Last year, THON raised a record $13.34 million to support children and their families who are battling pediatric cancer. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Alex Frederick, senior in telecommunications and one of THON’s 31 Entertainment committee captains, feeds live video to the big screens and jumbotron in the Bryce Jordan Center for THON 2015, Friday night, Feb. 20. This is the first year that the students of the committee are overseeing all of the music (and other entertainment) for the three-day event, keeping the dancers and volunteers motivated for the entirety of the 46-hour marathon. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Francisco Feliciano III throws his diamonds in the air as his father, Francisco Jr., points at their image on the giant video screen. From Lancaster, Pa., the Felicianos -- including Francisco’s mom, Jasmine; sisters Jailynn and Jada; and brother, Benjamin – are a Four Diamonds family and have been coming to THON since 2006, missing only a couple of years. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
The THON 2015 Dancer Relations committee energetically leads the entire Bryce Jordan Center in the Line Dance, an annual THON tradition, on Friday night, Feb. 20. The lyrics change every year to include references to that year’s popular music and cultural events, and the moves change, too, helping to keep the dancers motivated, stretched and energized. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Laurel Jade Steinberger, a dancer for the Kinesiology Club, read a note of encouragement during Mail Call on Feb. 21 at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg helped Eli Schultz throw some punches at the speed bag Feb. 21 in the weight room of the Lasch Building. The football program hosted Four Diamonds families for the 2015 Explorers Program, formerly called The Football Experience. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Sammy, a Four Diamonds family member, clutched squirt guns Feb. 21 and donned the letters of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, which sponsored his family along with the Whiplash dance group, for THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Slides of Strength provided THON dancers with a quick rub-down Feb. 21 at THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Members of Penn State's R.A.M. Squad, a hip-hop dance student organization, perform for the THON 2015 Bryce Jordan Center crowd on Saturday, Feb. 21. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
The 750-member THON 2015 OPPerations committee is responsible for the setup, maintenance and teardown of all THON’s physical elements. Committee students arrived at the Bryce Jordan Center about 4:45 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, long before the dancers, and will stay long after, until about 2 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Freshman Cheerleader Erin Berger colors with 5-year-old Megan King, of Gap, Pa. during THON 2015's Athlete Hour in South Annex on Feb. 21. King is a child from a Four Diamonds Family. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
Junior Running Back Akeel Lynch plays with a child during THON 2015's Athlete Hour on Feb. 21, where Four Diamonds children and families have the opportunity to interact with student-athletes from a variety of Penn State sport teams. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
Student superhero Stephanie Myers, a freshman in culinary arts, sings and dances to “Shake it Off,” performed live by Pistol Peg on Saturday, Feb. 21, at THON 2015. Myers and her dance partner, Sarah Luprek, a sophomore in nursing, attend the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Balloons awaited THON dancers and children Feb. 21. Clowns shaped the balloons into hats and other objects. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Squirt guns and bubble-blowing guns were easy to find Feb. 21 on the dance floor at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Maddy Sova, dancer for Omega Phi Alpha, painted Dancing Relations Committee member Brady Sheehan's nails in memory of THON child Miranda Zigler, who loved pink. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Carly Chroman, a Rules and Regulations Committee member, scanned bracelets as people left the Bryce Jordan Center the morning of Feb. 21 at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Sabrina and Cristian Parraga visited THON 2015 on Feb. 21. Sabrina has come to THON periodically since 1984 when she was a THON child at age 4, saying "it’s hard not to come back." As a survivor, cancer-free since 13, she calls her two children Miracles 1 and 2. For more on the Parraga's story. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Dancers with the help of their Dancing Relations Committee members entered their 24th hour of standing without sleep Feb. 21 at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State alumnus Adam Phoebe has been growing his hair for three years in order to donate it to Wigs for Kids at this, his very first THON. Wigs for Kids is an organization that helps pediatric cancer patients with wigs when they lose their hair to treatment. Phoebe, a 2012 energy engineering graduate, went to Penn State Erie, the Behrend College for two years before transferring to University Park. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
The students of Penn State’s Whiplash Dance Team hug their THON child, Emma Johnson, after she performed with them on Saturday, Feb. 20, during THON 2015 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Megan Bosch hugs her son, Mac, on Saturday, Feb. 21, at THON 2015. The Bosches, from Manheim, Pa., are a Four Diamonds family attending THON for their seventh year. “It’s a miracle that these kids do this for us,” said Megan. “There’s good people here.” Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
THON 2015 dancer Rupal Kankariya, a senior in labor employment relations and international politics, is dancing for her fourth and final year as a student. A former THON chair, Kankariya and her dance partner, Ravi Pandya, are representing the Penn State South Asian Student Association. “What am I going to take away from this experience?” said Kankariya. “That I was given this opportunity to make a difference with the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and I think I made a difference ... No, I know I made a difference.” Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Always an entertaining -- and messy -- part of THON, students slide on a baby powder-dusted mat and are given a quick massage as part of the Slides of Strength. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
At 2:30 a.m. Feb. 22, Timothy Donovan and Taylor Hennon became engaged at THON 2015. Donovan proposed to Hennon, a THON dancer, while making a visit to the dance floor. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Morale captains from 2013 led the crowd through their line dance Feb. 22 at THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Senior Brittany Trappe, left, and junior Danielle Diguglielmo represented the CrossFit Club on Feb. 22 at THON 2015. Although well prepared physically through their CrossFit regimen, Trappe said THON is just as much a mental test. They seemed to be going strong -- mentally and physically -- in the final hours of the event. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
From left, Tanner Stuart, Jamie Hoke and Ryan Estock danced for the Professional Golf Management organization Feb. 22 in the final hours of THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
At 2:30 a.m. Feb. 22, Timothy Donovan and Taylor Hennon became engaged at THON 2015. Donovan proposed to Hennon, a THON dancer, while making a visit to the dance floor. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Football Coach James Franklin, joined by Four Diamonds child Noah Benner, gave a pep talk to THON dancers during the final hours of THON 2015 on Feb. 22. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Bryce Carter took the stage with his mother, Heather, and sister, Olivia, during Family Hour on Feb. 22. The Penn State Cross-Country Club’s Four Diamonds Family, the Carters' story is available at http://thon.org/families/meetourfamilies/familywebpages/brycecarterfamily. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Four Diamonds co-founder Charles Millard and his daughter Stacia watched videos Feb. 22 during Family Hour in the final hours of THON 2015 Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
THON hits an emotional note during Family Hour on Feb. 22, a few hours before celebration of the fundraising total. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
For seven years, Go Go Gadget has been the final band to perform before the total reveal at THON. On Feb. 22, the band energized the crowd, which responded by lighting up the Bryce Jordan Center with cellphone lights. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Nittany Lion rested for the first time in 46 hours as THON 2015 ended Feb. 22 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Senior Michael Valania divided his THON weekend between dancer and mascot duties. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Bryce Jordan Center arena explodes into applause as the THON 2015 total of 13,026,653.23 is revealed Feb. 22. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
Schreyer Honors College senior Elizabeth Yerger learned the line dance from the stands Feb. 20 at THON 2015, which runs through Feb. 22 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State students in the Tapestry Dance Company flashed the sign for the Four Diamonds Fund on Feb. 20 at THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
THON "Moraler" Brittany Robbins, a sophomore studying speech pathology, greets dancers making their way into the Bryce Jordan Center for the first day of THON 2015 on Feb. 20. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately known as THON, is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Nittany Lion and other dancers made their way into the Bryce Jordan Center before THON 2015 on Feb. 20. Senior Michael Valania, the man behind the mascot, is a dancer this year. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State alumnus Josh Johnson, with backing from Blue Band drummers, warmed up the crowd with his tap dancing skills at the beginning of THON 2015 on Feb. 20. Johnson has performed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "ABC World News" and other national TV programs. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Cecil Blutcher took the stage Feb. 20 at THON 2015. Blutcher, a master of fine arts student in theater from Chicago, performed "Goodmorning Amen," a song he posted to the Internet for download shortly after. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
THON dancer Maura Swisher, a senior studying finance, celebrates on the arena floor shortly after dancers stood up to kick-off the first hour of THON 2015 on Feb 20. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
While Penn Staters danced at the Bryce Jordan Center, students like junior Kristin Macom hit the phones Feb. 20 for the Lion Line telefund, raising money for the Four Diamonds Fund. In just a few hours, students brought in more than $15,000 from Lion Line's downtown call center. To donate, call 800-392-THON. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
The dance floor was awash with color Feb. 20 in the early hours of THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Hospitality committee members Ananya Anmangandla, left, a sophomore studying chemistry, and Jimmy Trinh, a senior studying computer engineering, serve meals to dancers at THON 2015 on Feb. 20. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
Corban Potter, a member of a Four Diamonds family, painted Feb. 20 inside The Cove, an area where families can relax inside the Bryce Jordan Center during THON. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Gatorade and water awaited thirsty THON dancers Feb. 20. During a typical THON weekend, 46,800 bottles of water and Gatorade are consumed. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Senior Regina Wilson made sandwiches for hungry dancers during her Hospitality Committee shift Feb. 20 at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Journalism students in the College Communications are running a photo booth throughout THON weekend, asking people "Why do you THON?" Dancing Relations committee member Kim Sterner gave her answer Feb. 20. For more information on the project, go to http://www.pjatpsu.com/instathon2015/. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Five-year-old Hope catches a ride on the shoulders of her friend and neighbor, Elizabeth Grobinski, on Friday night, Feb. 20, at THON 2015 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Hope’s parents, Chris and Melissa Roslevege, were guest speakers at the Jan. 29 THON kickoff dinner, and Elizabeth’s brother, Matt, is a member of THON’s Rules and Regulations committee. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Megan Grant, right, and her mother, Gaynor, dance the line dance together on Friday night, Feb. 20, at THON 2015. Gaynor and her husband, Dan, drove from Pittsburgh to support Megan, a senior in architectural engineering who is dancing for the Smuckers family. “Sometimes we [people] can get very absorbed in ourselves,” said Megan, “THON gives us the opportunity to take a step back and do something for others. Why do I dance? For the fun of it, and for the kids -- could it be any better than that?” Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Four Diamonds Fund mom Galadriel and son Logan have fun squirting water at the dancers -- and everyone else -- during Friday night’s THON activities in the Bryce Jordan Center on Feb. 20. Last year, THON raised a record $13.34 million to support children and their families who are battling pediatric cancer. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Alex Frederick, senior in telecommunications and one of THON’s 31 Entertainment committee captains, feeds live video to the big screens and jumbotron in the Bryce Jordan Center for THON 2015, Friday night, Feb. 20. This is the first year that the students of the committee are overseeing all of the music (and other entertainment) for the three-day event, keeping the dancers and volunteers motivated for the entirety of the 46-hour marathon. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Francisco Feliciano III throws his diamonds in the air as his father, Francisco Jr., points at their image on the giant video screen. From Lancaster, Pa., the Felicianos -- including Francisco’s mom, Jasmine; sisters Jailynn and Jada; and brother, Benjamin – are a Four Diamonds family and have been coming to THON since 2006, missing only a couple of years. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
The THON 2015 Dancer Relations committee energetically leads the entire Bryce Jordan Center in the Line Dance, an annual THON tradition, on Friday night, Feb. 20. The lyrics change every year to include references to that year’s popular music and cultural events, and the moves change, too, helping to keep the dancers motivated, stretched and energized. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Laurel Jade Steinberger, a dancer for the Kinesiology Club, read a note of encouragement during Mail Call on Feb. 21 at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg helped Eli Schultz throw some punches at the speed bag Feb. 21 in the weight room of the Lasch Building. The football program hosted Four Diamonds families for the 2015 Explorers Program, formerly called The Football Experience. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Sammy, a Four Diamonds family member, clutched squirt guns Feb. 21 and donned the letters of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, which sponsored his family along with the Whiplash dance group, for THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Slides of Strength provided THON dancers with a quick rub-down Feb. 21 at THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Members of Penn State's R.A.M. Squad, a hip-hop dance student organization, perform for the THON 2015 Bryce Jordan Center crowd on Saturday, Feb. 21. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
The 750-member THON 2015 OPPerations committee is responsible for the setup, maintenance and teardown of all THON’s physical elements. Committee students arrived at the Bryce Jordan Center about 4:45 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, long before the dancers, and will stay long after, until about 2 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Freshman Cheerleader Erin Berger colors with 5-year-old Megan King, of Gap, Pa. during THON 2015's Athlete Hour in South Annex on Feb. 21. King is a child from a Four Diamonds Family. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
Junior Running Back Akeel Lynch plays with a child during THON 2015's Athlete Hour on Feb. 21, where Four Diamonds children and families have the opportunity to interact with student-athletes from a variety of Penn State sport teams. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
Student superhero Stephanie Myers, a freshman in culinary arts, sings and dances to “Shake it Off,” performed live by Pistol Peg on Saturday, Feb. 21, at THON 2015. Myers and her dance partner, Sarah Luprek, a sophomore in nursing, attend the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Balloons awaited THON dancers and children Feb. 21. Clowns shaped the balloons into hats and other objects. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Squirt guns and bubble-blowing guns were easy to find Feb. 21 on the dance floor at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Maddy Sova, dancer for Omega Phi Alpha, painted Dancing Relations Committee member Brady Sheehan's nails in memory of THON child Miranda Zigler, who loved pink. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Carly Chroman, a Rules and Regulations Committee member, scanned bracelets as people left the Bryce Jordan Center the morning of Feb. 21 at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Sabrina and Cristian Parraga visited THON 2015 on Feb. 21. Sabrina has come to THON periodically since 1984 when she was a THON child at age 4, saying "it’s hard not to come back." As a survivor, cancer-free since 13, she calls her two children Miracles 1 and 2. For more on the Parraga's story. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Dancers with the help of their Dancing Relations Committee members entered their 24th hour of standing without sleep Feb. 21 at THON 2015. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State alumnus Adam Phoebe has been growing his hair for three years in order to donate it to Wigs for Kids at this, his very first THON. Wigs for Kids is an organization that helps pediatric cancer patients with wigs when they lose their hair to treatment. Phoebe, a 2012 energy engineering graduate, went to Penn State Erie, the Behrend College for two years before transferring to University Park. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
The students of Penn State’s Whiplash Dance Team hug their THON child, Emma Johnson, after she performed with them on Saturday, Feb. 20, during THON 2015 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Megan Bosch hugs her son, Mac, on Saturday, Feb. 21, at THON 2015. The Bosches, from Manheim, Pa., are a Four Diamonds family attending THON for their seventh year. “It’s a miracle that these kids do this for us,” said Megan. “There’s good people here.” Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
THON 2015 dancer Rupal Kankariya, a senior in labor employment relations and international politics, is dancing for her fourth and final year as a student. A former THON chair, Kankariya and her dance partner, Ravi Pandya, are representing the Penn State South Asian Student Association. “What am I going to take away from this experience?” said Kankariya. “That I was given this opportunity to make a difference with the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and I think I made a difference ... No, I know I made a difference.” Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn State. Creative Commons
Always an entertaining -- and messy -- part of THON, students slide on a baby powder-dusted mat and are given a quick massage as part of the Slides of Strength. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
At 2:30 a.m. Feb. 22, Timothy Donovan and Taylor Hennon became engaged at THON 2015. Donovan proposed to Hennon, a THON dancer, while making a visit to the dance floor. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Morale captains from 2013 led the crowd through their line dance Feb. 22 at THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
Senior Brittany Trappe, left, and junior Danielle Diguglielmo represented the CrossFit Club on Feb. 22 at THON 2015. Although well prepared physically through their CrossFit regimen, Trappe said THON is just as much a mental test. They seemed to be going strong -- mentally and physically -- in the final hours of the event. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
From left, Tanner Stuart, Jamie Hoke and Ryan Estock danced for the Professional Golf Management organization Feb. 22 in the final hours of THON 2015. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
At 2:30 a.m. Feb. 22, Timothy Donovan and Taylor Hennon became engaged at THON 2015. Donovan proposed to Hennon, a THON dancer, while making a visit to the dance floor. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Football Coach James Franklin, joined by Four Diamonds child Noah Benner, gave a pep talk to THON dancers during the final hours of THON 2015 on Feb. 22. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Bryce Carter took the stage with his mother, Heather, and sister, Olivia, during Family Hour on Feb. 22. The Penn State Cross-Country Club’s Four Diamonds Family, the Carters' story is available at http://thon.org/families/meetourfamilies/familywebpages/brycecarterfamily. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
Four Diamonds co-founder Charles Millard and his daughter Stacia watched videos Feb. 22 during Family Hour in the final hours of THON 2015 Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
THON hits an emotional note during Family Hour on Feb. 22, a few hours before celebration of the fundraising total. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
For seven years, Go Go Gadget has been the final band to perform before the total reveal at THON. On Feb. 22, the band energized the crowd, which responded by lighting up the Bryce Jordan Center with cellphone lights. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Nittany Lion rested for the first time in 46 hours as THON 2015 ended Feb. 22 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Senior Michael Valania divided his THON weekend between dancer and mascot duties. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Bryce Jordan Center arena explodes into applause as the THON 2015 total of 13,026,653.23 is revealed Feb. 22. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons
In 2014, the event raised $13,343,517.33, the highest total ever.
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