This is why we THON

For our next big project, we need to come up with a timeline of an event, organization, or person and create a video project using the "four dimensional story telling" program, Meograph.  After attending Slippery Rock University's Up 'Til Dawn for Saint Jude's Childrens Research Hospital event last week, I would like to expand upon the idea of student run organizations that benefit pediatric cancer, and do a piece on Pennsylvania State University's Panhellenic Dance Marathon, more commonly known as THON. 

Penn State's THON held in the Bryce Jordan Center in the spring of 2013. The event raised $12,374,034.36, breaking the previously held record. (Photo credit: Elizabeth McClure)

From THON 2013

Elizabeth McClure (left), sophomore on the Rules and Regulations
 committee with senior Emily Wolf (right) who was one of the dance
participants in 46 hour event to help raise money for the Four
Diamonds Fund. (Photo courtesy: Elizabeth McClure)

In this video, I plan to focus on the student's current preparations for the event coming up February 21-23, 2014, as well as highlight pieces of last year's event.  This is an event that is run by the students, which is why I intend to focus on them and their input. They recently went through the interview process to join committees, and some have given member positions within the committees. 
I intend to talk to the following students for the video:

• The head of one of the Rules and Regulations committees
• Rules and Regulations committee members 
• A member of the Morale committee 
• Morale committee captain
• New members who will be experiencing their first THON event
• Students who have previously worked THON
• PSU Alumni, Emily Wolf, who was one of the dancers at last year's event

On top of talking to the above listed people, I want to do a brief history on the THON organization, starting from its conception in 1973, when it benefited the Butler County Association for Retarted Children.  The history would highlight some of the major events that have gone on since the creation of the program. I would also like to include as much information as possible in regards to this year's event, and have that be the concluding segment of this Meograph.  This is something that could potentially be updated as events go on throughout the planning and preparation process.

Video courtesy of the Penn State YouTube account.

This is a video of inside the Bryce Jordan Center during the THON event.  The floor is filled with students who are dancing for the cause as well as Four Diamonds family members, while the seats are filled with students, and others who attend the event.  

For those who do not know what THON is, or what it does, and think I just posted photos and videos of a packed event center, here is a brief piece about the event:

THON is a completely student run event that raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund, a fund that strives to aid children battling pediatric cancer.  Each year, Penn State students sign up to be on committees that play some important role in the 46 hour dance marathon.  They begin working in the Fall, which is also when some of their fundraising starts.  Students travel in groups to various locations both inside the state of Pennsylvania and outside the state.  They also send out donation letters to try and get donations via mail from friends and family members across the globe. 

On THON weekend, Four Diamonds families are invited to join the students, and participate in the two day dance marathon, held in the Bryce Jordan Center on campus.  At the end of the event, the total is calculated, and presented to the crowd live (last year's video can be seen below this paragraph).  People who can't make the event are encouraged to participate by watching on the live stream online!