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.

How to prepare for THON weekend

Will THON top last year's record $9.56 million effort? Photo by Shawn Inglima.

This is the most excited I’ve been in a long, long time and for good reason.

We are only five days away from THON.

This is an opportunity for students and THON families to celebrate another year of great efforts to raise funds and awareness in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Without further ado, here’s what you need to do to be ready for the best weekend of the year.

1. Bring Kleenex.

We all know THON weekend will be a lot of fun, so why would we want to bring Kleenex?

I’ve never been to THON weekend before, but I’ve talked to several THON veterans that said you should expect to cry. A lot. This weekend brings with it a mixed bottle of emotions.

Lauren Richards is living, breathing THON

Photo submitted by Lauren Richards.

This week I interviewed Lauren Richards to learn about her experience with THON.

Choosing Lauren to talk to was no mistake. She is Penn State New Kensington’s THON chair, and more than one person has described her as “crazy” about THON.

Hopefully her experiences will encourage others to get involved, too.

On her favorite THON moment: “This year I went to THON's Family Carnival. There was a really little kid with glasses who was scared of Andrew Holodnik, one of our THON members, because Andrew was dressed up as a knight. He was just so shy, but he had a lot of fun. I just want to help kids like him.”

The meaning of THON

Sometimes we do not get out of bed.

Maybe we don’t want to go to our first class, or maybe we're just too warm and comfortable to move.

Some people can’t get out of bed.

They are children with cancer that do want to go to class. To them, their beds are the least comfortable place in the world.

That’s where THON comes in.