Dancing for THON is the experience of a lifetime and I am lucky enough to say that I was able to do it twice. I love THON so much and knowing that it goes recognized and people understand how much I am in it for the kids really makes me happy.

Me and Cat on stage during THON weekend.

The answer that I gave when asked how the two weekends compare and if it was easier went a little something like this…

They were two totally different experiences.  To compare them and pick a better one would be unfair and honestly not even possible.  To start with, most of the people I spent my time with were different.  In 2010, a lot of the Abington moralers had experienced THON before, and had been around for quite some time.  The Abington moralers this year were mostly new people; majority of them never even went to THON before. It was awesome watching them during parts of the weekend and really watching it click for them why we were there and what all of our hard work went towards during the year. The last time I danced, Abington had four dancers, so I had three dancer partners and that also meant we had four total moralers supplied from University Park. This year, we only had two of each and that was definitely a difference. Another huge difference was that this time around, not only did we get to represent the Chapman family, but also the Furisters & Getz’s.

Me getting an ice bath during THON 2010.

As for if it was easier, I’m not really sure.  Certain parts were definitely hard both weekends.  This time around I definitely cried less. The pain that I felt was awful but I also think that I dealt with it a lot better this past weekend rather than in 2010.  I think I owe a lot of that to the energy produced in the stands, and whoever was on the floor with me. I went this whole weekend without any ice bath or getting my feet wrapped and those are both things that I did in 2010. My moraler encouraged me to go as long as I possibly could without it and I think that really helped me out in the end.

Both weekends will forever hold a special place in my heart and when people ask me what my favorite part of college was, they will easily share the number one spot.

And so before I tell you the grand total from all of the hard work that THON’ers have put in I just want quickly say that Catarina, and Rebecca did a phenomenal representing Abington THON. They were total troopers through out the whole 46 hours, and stayed strong and positive. I am so proud to know these two women as closely as I do and I was really proud to see our students, past and present, showing wonderful support and love to Cat and Becca.

So….the moment you have all been waiting for…..the final total of THON 2012 is…..drumroll please……

We have raised a record breaking $10,686,924.83!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also Penn State Abington came in 4th place among the 19 other common wealth campus’s with our grand total of $41,695.96!!!!! Congrats to all of the dancers, captains, and families for making this year’s THON better than ever!

WE ARE…..FTK!

THON Countdown Clock

Keep it here to Abington’s blog to get your full update on THON and our dancers.

Even though it is almost 3am the BJC is full and popping with dancers, families, and friends.  Only 37 more hours until our dancers can sit.

Please lets make this happen! #THON12 #FTK2012!!

Reality star Kourtney Kardashian shows her support for THON by tweeting to her 6,125,392 followers “So excited for all of my @THON dolls! Good Luch!#THON12″.

From the window, to the wall.

Twist it here, twist it there.

Throw those arms up in the air.

Verse 1

BJC lace up those kicks, THON is here for 46

2012 time to dance, or the kids for a chance

Rumble rumble shake shake, you get that”? you feel that quake?

BK, Starbucks grab some grub, hope I’m mayor of the HUB!

Collegian turns 125, student section moves aside

409, what a run, thank you Joe Pa for all you’ve done

Candlelight’s shining through. We stand united wearing blue

THON 2012- courtesy of Onward State.com

We Are..FTK! Lions let me hear you say!

CHORUS

VERSE 2

Will and Kate wed at last! Kim and Kris? Well that was fast!

Demi Moore you got punk’d. Beyonce rubs her baby bump

Raise your wand – Lumos, curtain falls

7th Potter – nox, dazzles all

Once you find the perfect spot the question is to plant or not

Playing friends word by word. Dud you launch your angry bird?

Bridesmaids – what a mess, not in the street, no in the dress!

Rebecca Black, knows her days – can you hear that superbass?

Boom badoom boom badoom boom superbass.

Adele center stage, Hunger games turn that page

Is that a feather in your hair? Honey badger he don’t care!

Dom says “Come at me Bro” – ayoo dancers – leggo

CHORUS

VERSE 3

One decade post September, 9/11 we remember

NASA shuttle is retired, Steve Jobs still inspires

Joplin, Hershey, storms invade, Japanese gets global aid

Occupy nationwide, U.S. Troops, home with pride

Lockout almost wrecks the pros, let me see your Tebow pose

Pitt and Philly fans unite – MLB joins the fight

Welcome Chambers and O’Brien, blue and white. Love ya lions

Penn State sports, are on top, wait for dubstep’s beat to drop

CHORUS

VERSE 4

Families, kids, volunteers, celebrating 40 years

Hershey center almost done, fighting till the battle’s

15,000 standing tall, for our heros big and small

BJC, tell me this, why do we dance? For Kids like Chris!

For Courage, to help us dance, strength a fighting chance

Honesty. Our hearts are pure, wisdom to find a cure

FTK, THON will chant, we still dance for those who can’t

Four Diamonds light the night, making every journey bright.

CHORUS

Pump it Lions, pump it up FTK (Let me hear you roar)

Cancer – we’ll fight it

Dancing United

Penn State break it down

Diamonds up all around

Shine your light, win this fight

FTK

-Courtesy of The Daily Collegian-THON Blog

THON Line Dance Video