The Blue & White Society contributed to the growing excitement in anticipation of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon Weekend by holding the first annual 46 Minute THON Thursday in the Hintz Family Alumni Center.
The no-sitting 46-minute event culminated with the reveal of the final total the Blue & White Society raised for THON -- $31,420.91.
THON is a "yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer." The fundraising culminates in THON weekend, a 46-hour, no-sitting dance marathon held in the Bryce Jordan Center.
Event organizers said they wanted the event to show attendees what THON weekend would be like.
Alex Beebe, director of public relations, said the event was planned with several committees in the organization.
"I think it gives people a pretty good taste of what THON is," Beebe (junior-broadcast journalism) said of the event.
The event was inspired by a similar event held in East Halls last year, said Meeten Doshi, Blue & White Society treasurer.
Blue & White Society President Leslie Pinero began the event by introducing a cappella group None of the Above.
After a brief performance, Pinero (senior-broadcast journalism) announced the start of the 46-minute, no sitting marathon.
To kick off the event, the Nittany Lion performed 46 pushups, a reference to number of hours THON dancers are on the Bryce Jordan Center floor during THON weekend.
The 2013 Morale captains were also at the event to teach attendees the line dance. Overall Morale chairperson Melanie Sessa also taught the group the steps to Dance With Us, a special 30-second line dance that will be performed during THON weekend.
Event organizers said they were excited about future plans for the event.
Blue & White Society THON Family Relations Chair Katie Szabo called the event "the start of something new."
Pinero also said she could see the event getting bigger every year.
"I hope it will be even bigger as the years go on, just like THON," she said.
Throughout the course of the event, attendees were constantly reminded of the purpose of THON.
Attendees watched a video made in honor of Brandon Loose, the Four Diamonds child of the Blue & White Society that passed away in October 2008.
"In the end, it's all about raising money for the kids," Beebe said.
At the end of the event, Pinero said she was proud of everyone involved in the planning and execution of the event along with the efforts for THON.
"This was a great first beginning and I only see it growing from here," Pinero said.
