Members of the morale committee shouted out the lyrics, "We're dancin' straight for 48; we're feelin' great; Thon's 28."

It took the dancers just over an hour to learn the line dance.

"It was wonderful," said dancer Jennifer Haring (senior-human development and family studies). "The moves are modern and more dance-like."

Other dancers struggled with the steps, although the committee attempted to make the dance simpler.

"I thought it was difficult to learn," Andrew Groff (senior-finance) said.

Providing a salute to kids with cancer, a smattering of current events and a whole lot of school spirit, the line dance has always been the best kept secret of Thon.

Each year the line dance is discreetly written and choreographed by the captains of the Thon morale committee.

So, how does it remain a secret?

Hilliard learned the dance two weeks ago because the rules and regulations committee also performs the line dance on stage.

"I love it. It's easy, fun and a great song to do it to," Hilliard said.

Many dancers shared Hilliard's enthusiasm for the song, which included references to Hershey's Kisses, the HUB aquariums and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

"It's innovative and interesting. It encompassed a lot of things," dancer Jason McGinnis (senior-agricultural science) said.

"I like how we get to jump around a lot and use our muscles," dancer Candace Wright (senior-human development and family studies) said.

The morale committee made sure those who attended the 48-hour marathon knew the dance by heart by the end of the weekend, as it was scheduled to be performed 39 times. Extra dances are added when the dancers get weary, Skwirut said.

Every time the line dance was performed during Thon, the words were displayed in bright colors on two large screens. Thon dancers also were given an activity booklet with printed copies of the lyrics.

The captains of the morale committee went away for a weekend to plan this year's line dance.

During this time, the 15 captains of the morale committee picked the song that Skwirut described as a "techno version of life in a northern town."

The line dance provides dancers an opportunity to dance. "In the beginning and the end there is a lot of dancing, but in the middle people are just standing around," Skwirut said.

"The dance brings everyone back together," Hilliard said.

Over the years, the line dance has come to be one of Thon's most anticipated events. "I see it as a time capsule. You know what happened during the year," Hilliard said.

"It's always a hook," Skwirut said. "When they hear the music, the dancers start moving around. It gets everyone excited, and they start cheering."

• Line dance lyrics