On her feet, columnist seeks right words for 'Thon

Editor's note: The columnist wrote this column while she was dancing in the 25th Anniversary Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon this past weekend. Only spelling and minor changes for clarity were made; this column is the original product of the author, who was writing while on her feet for 48 hours without sleep.

Being a part of dance marathon, whether in a large or small role, holds the biggest life lessons.

Giving of ourselves unconditionally, no matter what the pain, is a lesson our world seems not to have learned. But nested in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania, there is this safe haven that breeds unselfishness and gave birth to the nation's largest student-run philanthropy.

The titles, the hype -- none of it seems to matter now as I join about 539 other dancers in our final half of "the battle."

What matters more is finishing for the child who just gave me a hug and the parent who just expressed more gratitude than it seems I should ever deserve.

What matters is that every step of my foot, every penny we raised and every line dance we groove to, brings us all one step closer to a cure for cancer. I can't count the number of times I've heard, "I don't know how you students do this" during the first half of 'Thon.

Obviously, I can't speak for everybody involved in 'Thon, but I have a good idea of what the eternal inspiration for "25 years of 'Thon" comes from for everybody from the overall committee captains to the dancers.

It comes from a precious Penn State tradition we all strive to uphold. It comes from the support each person involved gives to each other. It comes from a never-ending desire to save all these children's lives and give them the same opportunities we've all enjoyed in our still-young existences.

Well, time has certainly passed since I last wrote. I imagine we only have about 10 hours to go -- it puts an entirely different perspective on 'Thon from where I'm standing. I know I'm going to make it -- I know that everybody around me will, too.

It's difficult to write through teary eyes and with a much less functioning brain, but a few things are still jumping out at me.

'Thon isn't about "Independents vs. Greeks" and it's not about who raised the most money.

It's what we all did together and it's about the families we did it all for. The tears we are crying aren't all for the pain we're feeling.

They're also for the joy of this treasured anniversary and for the way these children can touch our hearts when we're least expecting it.

I guess this is probably one of the least coherent or flowing pieces I've ever written, but maybe the less ability we have to choose our words, the more honest they will be.

I calm my mind knowing that the next few hours will be some of the most rewarding of my life.

No matter what the total, these hours will be the most fulfilling and meaningful to the 540 dancers, the thousands of committee members and supporters, and most importantly, the Four Diamond families.

Happy anniversary, dance marathon -- and maybe the next 25 years bring selfless giving and passion to a treasured cause to Penn State.