'Thon winds down as emotions run high
Final steps taken amid exhaustion, exuberance

By HOPE CALDWELL
Collegian Staff Writer

After joining in the line dance and listening to the children give their thanks, the 1995 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon wound down to another dramatic ending.

"It doesn't really matter what the total is because what you've accomplished is in yourselves," Stacy Bingler, overall chairwoman, said with applause. "So I guess you still want to know the total?"

After all of the fundraising by student organizations the total came to $1,169,697.55 -- $41,099 less than last year. This year 16 organizations raised over $15,000. The first place winners for the 12th year in a row were Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, 328 E. Fairmount Ave., and Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, 101 Cooper, which raised $198,828.49.

"Without everyone else, this marathon wouldn't be what it is today," said Kevin Beccaris, head chair for the first place winners, while receiving the trophy.

Throughout the 48 hours of playing cards, video games, table hockey, hitting beach balls and of course, dancing, everyone goes through difficult times.

"It's a minute battle compared to what the kids fight," said Steve Maslowski (senior-biology). He was a dancer for Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, 409 E. Fairmount Ave., who along with Alpha Chi Omega sorority, 101 Hibbs, won second place.

Mary LeDonne, a dancer for Chi Omega, 101 Haller, graduated in December but became very close with the sponsored family so she and her partner decided to dance another year. She also danced in the marathon last year.

"The bottom line is you look in a child's eyes and realize that there is a glimpse of hope, so how can 48 hours of measly pain matter --it's for them," LeDonne said.

To keep the dancers' spirits up, many games were played and some had their T-shirts decorated humorously. There were T-shirts worn by the dancers that had kids' names on the back and others had sayings like, 'uncumfrtbly num', 'you snooze you lose' and 'Nebraska do this.'

Parents of the 64 families from various places such as Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, New York and State College gave their thanks during a presentation in the last two hours. They read poems while everyone agreed "Penn State is number 1 --no matter what they say in the polls."

A little boy on stage said, "If it weren't for kids like you it would be harder for kids like me."

Among the numerous supporters, University President Joab Thomas came to 'Thon each day this weekend, as he does every year. He signed autographs and took pictures with the dancers.

"This is one of the most wonderful things that happen at Penn State," said Thomas. He said that 20 to 30 schools from states such as Texas and Iowa visited and toured dance marathon to see exactly what Penn State does.

Bingler echoed the feeling of the entire crowd in White Building by saying, "You can't buy dreams. You can make dreams a reality by giving love, time and dedication."