February 15, 2013 at 9:57 PM

THON is just a few hours in and the dancers are still going strong as night one is slowly coming to an end.

John Whitney, of Kappa Sigma, is dancing this weekend after his friend danced last year and inspired him to do it this year, he said. He said he is doing fine, but dreads how he's going to start feeling as the hours progress, but as long as he's preoccupied he will be fine, he said.

One thing that is keeping him going is the kids, Whitney said. This weekend is all about forgetting "the bad stuff," he said.

"I'm just happy to be here and to see the smiles on all the kids' faces is awesome," Whitney (senior-finance) said.

Brittaney Piccicacco, THON chair for Delta Gamma, is also dancing for the kids this weekend, she said. As a nursing student, she has had the opportunity to visit the Penn State Hershey Medical Center and visit some of the kids, she said. This has motivated her to dance this year, she said.

So far, she is still going strong, especially after having spaghetti for dinner, she said.

"Talk to me in about 12 hours though and it might be a different story," Piccicacco (senior-nursing) said.