Elaine Tanella Passes Torch to Will Martin

Elaine Tanella and Will Martin have devoted much of their college experience to THON.
Photo submitted by Elaine Tanella.

There is something truly inspirational in the way that Elaine Tanella and Will Martin talk about THON.

It's not so much in what they say about THON, but how they say it. Their voices reflect a unique passion between the work they've done for THON, what it means to them and what they know it means to others.

As THON’s 2012 overall chairperson, Tanella dedicated every spare second she had to THON. It’s time she would never trade back.

“THON has had a tremendous impact on my life,” Tanella said. “You give so much to THON each year, and no matter how much you give you get so much more back. I couldn’t imagine my life without THON.”

Being THON’s overall chair also put into perspective how much of an impact she could make individually.

“I think what surprised me the most about being THON chair was the impact you can have individually,” Tanella said. “It’s not that it really surprised me, but it never ceases to amaze me the impact you can have on people, how much support they give you and how much you give back.”

THON needed plenty of support this year to overcome obstacles out of its control, but Tanella’s solution was always simple and clear.

Vinny Carrano Dances for Sister Lauren

1995’s THON weekend was the first of many for Vinny Carrano, but it was also his sister’s last.

Carrano’s sister Lauren, 9, lost her two-year battle with cancer in 1996.

He has returned to THON weekend nearly every year since in her memory.

“THON was our family’s favorite place,” Carrano said. “It was somewhere we could go and forget about everything else in the world.”

Dance 4 THON changes its course

Every year after THON's finale, THON slows down into a period of planning for the upcoming THON year.

New THON chairpersons at each campus will be busy preparing THON events for next summer, fall and winter.

While THON maps out its next steps, this blog will take steps in a new direction.

Four Penn State New Kensington THON dancers rock BJC

Lauren Richards, Erin Prager, Kelsie Nury, Joe Mandak, and Andrew Holodnik are all smiles before driving to THON. Photo by Penn State New Kensington Student Life.

Joe Mandak's body slumped back into the arms of his THON moralers.

He was beginning to faint after dancing for 45 and a half hours when Penn State New Kensington moralers slowly lowered him to the floor. EMTs stretchered him away and into an ambulance a few minutes later.

Mandak had become severely dehydrated and exhausted from dancing for so long.

“I hope I didn’t kill the momentum for anyone,” Mandak said.

New Kensington’s student section fell silent as Mandak lie motionless. But instead of killing the weekend’s momentum, it brought everyone closer together.

“I think a really defining moment was whenever Joe wasn’t doing well, and all of New Kensington was cheering his name,” said New Kensington THON dancer Erin Prager. “Then, people not from New Kensington were cheering him on, too. It really defined a real THON family.”

Prior to Mandak’s dance till he dropped saga, New Kensington’s THON dancers were living a dream.

Each dancer – Mandak, Prager, Keslie Nury and Andrew Holodnik – had determined months beforehand to become THON dancers.

Among other reasons, they each wanted to dance for children with cancer.

“I wanted to do everything I could do in my last year for THON,” Holodnik said.

THON dancer Q&A with Erin Prager

Erin Prager, a senior business administration major, danced at this year's THON.

What motivated you to become a dancer?

Being involved last year really opened my eyes to how big THON really is.

This was my last THON, so I wanted to go big and be a dancer.

THON dancer Q&A with Andy Holodnik

Andrew Holodnik, who is studying administration of justice, danced at this year's THON.

What motivated you to become a dancer?

I’ve done THON for four years, and this is kind of my last year. I wanted to experience this. Plus, we are at a branch campus that does not have a THON family, so I wanted to hang out with the kids and realize we’re making a difference.

Also, I’ve had so much experience with pediatric cancer. My one cousin had leukemia, and one of my friend’s sons had neuroblastoma. So, I’ve realized what kids go through first hand.

I wanted to do everything I could do in my last year for THON. I’ve witnessed what it’s like to be a dancer. I think you see the true meaning of THON when you’re a dancer.

THON dancer Q&A with Kelsie Nury

Kelsie Nury, a freshman education major, danced at this year's THON.

What motivated you to become a dancer?

The people that danced last year kept talking about how amazing it was for them. Hearing them and they’re excitement about dancing was really motivating.

From our first meeting this year, I wanted the experience they had, so I just went for it and got it.

THON dancer Q&A with Joe Mandak III

Joe Mandak III, a senior communication major, danced at this year's THON.

What motivated you to become a dancer?

Basically, the passing of my grandfather motivated me. He died of throat cancer. I saw his pain and suffering, and he was on an incubator that kept him alive.

That hit me, and that’s how cancer began to play a role in my life. I can’t imagine a child going through that same thing.

After that, THON started popping up in the back of mind a lot. Someone had told me that being a dancer was so much more than just being there. I felt like I was really part of something, and the support of every dancer, child and New Kensington in the stands really passed my expectations.