February 16, 2013 at 3:40 AM

For senior Meredith Crowder, "tired" is not a word or emotion that comes to mind at this point of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. 

"I haven't been tired at all yet," Crowder (senior-public relations) said. "When I do get tired, I'll just think about the THON children."

This year's THON is even more special and sentimental for Crowder, as this is her last THON she will participate in as a Penn State student.

And going out with a bang, Crowder is dancing on the floor for the first time.

A four year member of Pillar, a special THON organization, and previously serving on the OPP committee her sophomore year, Crowder said that dancing is clearly her favorite THON experience to date.

"Being able to dance has made my last THON experience 100 times better," Crowder said. "I couldn't be more excited and I'm in love with the energy."

Although other dancers may not all be experiencing THON weekend for the last time, it is customary that they share the same motivation for keeping their feet moving.

Public Relations Captain Kenzie Brancato said that she thinks that the Four Diamonds children play a key role in keeping the energy, even during the late hours of the night, or morning where they may not be present.

"The kids are why they are dancing in the first place," Brancato (sophomore-food science) said. "The energy is even better during the daytime when the kids are here, shooting water guns at them and playing with them on the floor."

With 35 hours left until dancers can take their first seat, this motivation is going to need to be ever lasting and effective.