February 17, 2013 at 2:13 PM

Each year, THON has continued to top the previous total raised, and this year is no exception, with THON topping the charts at $12,374,034.46.

Last year, THON raised $10,686,924.83.

Tears of joy stream down faces, as dancers and Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon attendees hug one another in celebration of their accomplishments. But for most of the students and Four Diamonds Families, the total didn’t matter to them.

Atlas family member Stephanie Smith said the total didn’t matter to them, rather seeing how much the students' hard work paid off in the end was important.

“We are just grateful for everything the students have done and are very proud of their efforts,” Smith said.

Kim Sterner, a dancer for Altoona, said she wasn't surprised that the total was higher.

"Penn State is always striving to do better and to make their goals a reality," Sterner (sophomore-kinesiology) said, adding that dancing this year is a "once in a lifetime" opportunity and an incredible journey.