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[ Monday, Feb. 22, 1999 ]
PHOTO: Shawn Knapp
Members of the 1999 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon overall committee display the amount raised at this year's Thon.
Thon shatters record
By CARRIE DZWIL
Collegian Staff Writer
It's something like a THONomenon. Penn State students broke several money records again this year, raising $2,530,142.48 overall for the Four Diamonds Fund at the 1999 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. This amount was about $500,000 more than last year's record of just over $2 million.
SOURCE: Thon dancers and committee chairpersons
GRAPHIC: Stacy Olenoski
Top greek money earners Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, 321 E. Fairmount Ave., and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority also broke their previous record of $226,907 by totaling $286,541 in earnings. Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, 328 E. Fairmount Ave, and Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority came in second, raising $223,320. Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, 409 E. Fairmount Ave., and Alpha Chi Omega sorority placed third for greek money earners, raising $201,191.
Jason Sabol, who danced for Alpha Tau Omega, said he was happy more money was raised this year, but placing first for top money earning didn't matter to him.
"I think it's great that we raised over $2.5 million," Sabol said. "It just shows how much (Thon has) grown."
The Four Diamonds Fund, based at Hershey Medical Center, assists families who have children with pediatric cancer. Medical bills and, in some cases, household expenses are taken care of by the fund.
Student organization winners this year were Phi Gamma Nu in first, raising $40,008, Student-Athlete Advisory Board in second place, earning $10,370, and Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity, in third, raising $10,148.
Commonwealth campuses earned $78,590 for the Four Diamonds Fund. Penn State Fayette earned the most money with $29,632. Penn State Wilkes-Barre earned $11,070, putting it in second place, and Penn State Mont Alto came in third with $4,529.
Stephanie Galka (freshman-recreational therapy) tried to survive the weekend as best as possible, even through sore feet and exhaustion. Galka represented the Penn State Altoona College Student Government Association this year and it was her first experience dancing in the event. She said she had some idea of what Thon would be like, but the marathon exceeded all her expectations.
"I can't believe how many people actually participate," Galka said. "I didn't expect it to be this big."
PHOTO: K. Fordney
Penn State women’s volleyball player Carrie Schonveld shows Vinney Coranno, 10, of Pottsville some moves Saturday afternoon.
Adding to the size of Thon this year was its new venue, Rec Hall.
Some people were wary of how well the event would turn out in a new location. Sam Rivello, dancer for Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, 408 E. Fairmount Ave., said Rec Hall was surprisingly kind to Thon.
"I didn't think they'd be able to fill this place up, but they did," Rivello said.
Rivello has never danced for Thon before, although he has attended the event in the past. He said he didn't expect dancing in Thon to be as difficult as it was.
Charles Millard, founder of the Four Diamonds Fund, spoke to the crowd at the end of Thon and agreed the event has found a new home in Rec Hall. He thanked all those involved for their dedication and spirit.
"If I ever did express how I really feel, I'd stand up here and bawl," Millard said.
Thon ended reluctantly for some dancers, who stayed standing for the announcement of the grand total. Brian Newmark, overall Thon chair, thanked the dancers and urged them to rest their weary feet.
"Now all you dancers, go get some rest," he said.
