All that remains on the floor of the BJC are garbage cans, water bottles, balloons and hula hoops. The once non-visible brown floor can be seen for the first time in 46 hours.

Dancers have exited the floors and committee members are cleaning up. The stands are emptying out too.

Thon overalls posed on the stage with a piece of poster board with the number 7 written on it.

By raising more than $7 million dollars, Thon broke last years' record by about $875,000.

--Rossilynne

Commonwealth campus No. 1

$71,070 - Penn State Fayette

Independent organization No. 1

$216,785 - Atlas Thon

Greek fundraising pair No. 1

$317,928.56 - Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity

--Rossilynne

After a countdown from 10, dancers have officially completed Thon 2009, and they're allowed to sit.
Dancers fell to the ground, but most jumped back on their feet again clapping and cheering in anticipation of the final total announcment.
The crowd led a chant of "FTK" and everyone has their hands above their heads forming diamonds.
Dancers are now sitting while raffle tickets are drawn.
A woman on the stage is arranging white posterboards with the numbers of the final total on them.

--Rossilynne

Thon overalls are leading the last line dance of Thon 2009.
Looks like the crowd has figured out the moves too, and they're dancing in the stands along with dancers on the floor.
Moments until the final total is revealed.

--Rossilynne

Dancers have wrapped their arms around each other and are swaying to "Somewhere over the rainbow."

With all the colors in the stands and on the floor it looks like a rainbow in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Five minutes until the final total is announced!

--Rossilynne

Two girls on stage honored Jillian Siegel, a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority who lost her battle to cancer on Feb. 10 this year.

They spoke of Siegel's constant involvement in her sorority and especially in Thon.

"We will all be forever moved by her courage, honesty, strength and wisdom," one of the girls said.

Following the speech, a video was shown on the screen highlighting Siegel's life and remembering good times spent with her.

Since Family Hour ended recently, the dancers know the end of Thon 2009 is approaching. Beach balls are flying around on the floor and everyone is dancing.

To keep the energy flowing, JR and Natalie provided musical entertainment for the crowd. The band consisted of a lead female vocalist, a male drummer and three male guitarists.

Their set featured recognizable songs such as "Stand By Me," "Sweet Caroline" and "Don't Stop Believin'," which had the entire BJC dancing and throwing their diamonds in the sky.

We're in the last hour now. Just over a half hour until the total is revealed.

--Kristin

It's the first time in Thon's three years in the Bryce Jordan Center that all gates have been locked, Al Karosas, associate general manager for the BJC, said.

The stands are packed, and no one else is allowed in until people leave.

Karosas and BJC staff are standing at Gate B monitoring the seating area and allowing people to come in as others leave.

There's a line from Gate B extending almost the the Blue Loop stop in front of the BJC. All the other gates are closed.

The best bet for people hoping to come into Thon to see the last hour and a half: Get to the BJC, wait in the line at Gate B and keep your fingers crossed for people to leave.

Ashley Engstrom, a rules and regulations committee member standing at Gate B, said there has been a mass exit after Family Hour, allowing some people to enter.

The doors stayed open for the duration of Thon 2008, Karosas said. Having the doors locked was common at Rec Hall, he added.

This year, he said, overall attendance is up.

The black curtains behind the stage will not be raised, Engstrom said, because that area is being used for storage.

--Rossilynne

Dancers, families and moralers have their arms wrapped around each others' shoulders as they watch a memorial video showing children who have lost their battles with cancer.

Those on the floor are swaying back and forth and wiping tears from their eyes.

People in the stands and on the floor are silent. Songs like "I hope you dance" play while photographs of children are shown on screen.

Check back at psucollegian.com for a Family Hour Web update.

--Rossilynne

Joe Paterno just walked on the stage at Thon. Cameras are flashing incessantly. The crowd is going wild and chanting Joe Pa-terno!

"There are very few times in my life I'm speechless, but I am now," Paterno said. "I wish the whole world could see and feel what's in this room right now. Love and commitment and the dedication that just reeks from this room."

"In my 58 years at Penn State, I've never been more proud than right now," Paterno said.

Paterno shook hands with Thon families after his speech. The crowd is chanting a deafening "We Are!" "Penn State!"

DJ Larry Moore said it's been a couple years since Paterno has been at Thon.

--Rossilynne