THON 2017 Preparation with Rachel Marini
Rachel Marini is a Senior at Penn State majoring in Education. After many months of fundraising, Marini was selected to dance Independently for this year's THON. Having been a volunteer on Dancer Relations and Special Events committees, Marini is well aware of what to expect when dancing on the floor for 46 hours.
Marini has cut out caffeine and alcohol, motivating herself to spend more time at the gym, to attend fitness classes and to drink more water. As a member of Alpha Xi Delta, Marini explains that she is not only motivated by the THON and Penn State Community involved but also her than children, especially Hope Westrick. Hope passed away last December, after only being a THON child for a year. Her spirit, courage, and wisdom motivate Marini to keep pushing herself to new heights and to live life to its fullest.
Marini has been attending fitness classes and the gym almost every day for the past month and a half, regardless of knowing if she was going to be selected to dance through the lottery or not. She feels prepared and more ready than ever to dance in pursuit of a cure. She hopes that her hard work and determination will help her physically throughout THON and that she can push through the pain in order to make the kids, families and herself have an unforgettable experience.
