Best of THON 2015
Photo posted February 24, 2015 in
Photojournalism students in Penn State's College of Communications capture the moments that define THON 2015, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, that raised more than $13 million. The 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon is the culmination of a yearlong effort by Penn State students to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer.
Danny Ford, a Dancer Relations captain from Erie, Pa., leads the line dance during the final four hours of THON. / Photo by Caity Kramer
THON participants learn the 2015 line dance at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday. / Photo by Nick Thomas
THON participants embrace as they make their way through a human tunnel to the Bryce Jordan Center for THON 2015 Friday afternoon. / Photo by Caity Kramer
The Penn State Club Cheerleading Team performs before THON 2015. / Photo by Caity Kramer
THON weekend officially begins as members of the Executive Committee raise their arms as dancers stand to begin the 46-hour no sitting or sleeping dance marathon. / Photo by Caity Kramer
THON dancers show their excitement as they enter the human tunnel on their way to the Bryce Jordan Center for THON 2015. / Photo by Caity Kramer
Dancer Relations captains teach the THON 2015 line dance Friday night. / Photo by Luke Smith
Runners from HOPE Express gather for a selfie after ushering in the official start of THON 2015. The Hope Express is a 135-mile run created to bridge the gap between the families on the 7th floor at the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. and the dancers at THON. / Photo by Luke Smith
Grace Gasior, 10, from Pittsburgh, embraces her sister, Katie Gasior, a THON captain during the hair donation Saturday. / Photo by Lacey Fuller
Austin Wagner, center, strikes a pose on stage during the THON Kid's Fashion Show on Saturday. / Photo by Nick Thomas
Phi Chi Theta dancer Carlee Delp, left, stretches with Dancer Relations Committee member Allegra Inciandi, a senior majoring in mathematics, during THON on Saturday. / Photo by Nick Thomas
Ohana dancer Brandon Kreider, a senior majoring in labor employment realtions, fills in the spaces of a coloring book on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center during THON on Saturday. / Photo by Nick Thomas
THON dancers Katherine Rosko, left, and Jen Pytlewski, both of Phi Gamma Nu Business Fraternity, hug in the early morning hours Sunday. / Photo by Samantha King
Grace Gasior, 10, from Pittsburgh, the sibling of a THON child, donates hair on stage during THON 2015 on Saturday. / Photo by Lacey Fuller
Caroline DeSoto, 4, of Millersburg, Pa., blows bubbles during THON 2015 on Saturday. / Photo by Nick Thomas
The Penn State Fencing Team performs during the Pep Rally Saturday night. / Photo by Ateeq Alhameli
The Penn State's Men's Hockey Team performs during the THON Pep Rally Saturday night. / Photo by Ateeq Alhameli
OPPerations members demonstrate their jump rope skills on Saturday night. / Photo by Ateeq Alhameli
The Penn State Field Hockey Team performs during the Pep Rally Saturday night. / Photo by Ateeq Alhameli
The Penn State Men's Gymnastics Team performs during the Pep Rally Saturday night. / Photo by Ateeq Alhameli
The silks of the Blue Band perform during the Pep Rally Saturday night. / Photo by Ateeq Alhameli
OPPerations captain Steve Mezzacappa, a junior majoring in architectural engineering, dives onto the baby powder coated mats during the Slides of Strength at THON 2015 on Saturday. / Photo by Nick Thomas
The Penn State JaDhoom Fusion Dance team performs at THON 2015 Sunday. / Photo by Emily Martin
Isabella Messina, 13, a THON child, clings to her father during an emotional video remembering children who lost their battle with cancer. / Photo by Hannah Zell
Dancer Relations captains perform one of the final line dances of THON 2015. / Photo by Caity Kramer
THON 2015 executive committee members hold signs revealing the total raised at the end of the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleep dance marathon. / Photo by Luke Smith
Megan Renaut, the THON 2015 director, from Spring Grove, Pa., reacts to the announcement that THON 2015 raised $13.02 million. The Nittany Lion mascot, who danced the entire 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping event, joins in the celebration on stage at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State. / Photo by Caity Kramer
The Nittany Lion mascot rests at the conclusion of the 46-hour dance marathon. Michael Valania, otherwise known as the Nittany Lion, is a senior who danced in THON for 46 hours straight while periodically tending to his duties as the Lion mascot. / Photo by Caity Kramer
