Ashley Hughes was not originally picked to be an independent dancer for this year's Interfraternity Council /Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

But after a friend found out how hard she and her roommate Teela Ross (junior-marketing) worked to raise money for Thon, that friend gave up his spot as a dancer.

"I just think that this is what they mean when they say Thon -- doing something for someone else," Hughes (junior-marketing) said.

Hughes said Joe Colucci (senior-civil engineering) showed up at her front door and announced she would be dancing in his place this year for the lacrosse club. Colucci danced at Thon 2004 and will be involved with an operations committee this year.

"We need more people like him," Hughes said. "He wanted someone else to experience what he did."

Megan Collins (senior-sociology) has been involved with Thon for four years. Now, in her senior year, she is getting the chance to be a dancer.

In 2004, Collins was the operations overall and dedicated most of her time planning activities for the dancers. Collins said as a dancer this year for Circle K, she can concentrate all her time to just being with the kids.

"[I am] really excited to have a different experience at Thon," she said.

Collins added that she is in the mind frame that she has an opportunity to take a different role in Thon this year.

Penn State graduate Jen Cohen is also going to be having the same experience as Collins. Cohen graduated in 2003, and was the Thon family relations overall that year. Cohen received the chance to dance for the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group by being the member that raised the most money for Thon.

"I'm really excited to go back and see the kids and the families that I have come to know," Cohen said.

Cohen said she will be relying on family and friends this year to help her through the rough hours while dancing.

Susan Cocci (senior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said last year, to stay awake, she attempted to put her ballroom dancing lessons to use at 4:30 in the morning.

"Just active type stuff like throwing a ball, or walking around keeps me awake," she said.

Bridget Daly (senior-animal bioscience), who will be dancing independently this year, said last year she had the chance to watch the dancers during their up and down periods as they struggled to stay up for 48 hours.

"[It will] probably [be] one of those tough, heartwarming, scary experiences," she said.

Daly said she is looking forward to the Thon family hour, where families involved with The Four Diamonds speak of their children's experiences.

Collins said she enjoys watching all those who are involved with Thon weekend.

"[There is a] light bulb moment when they go from a spectator or friend to having it become a part of them," she said.