CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Jayden Smith thought he knew what to expect. The second-year mechanical engineering major was familiar with THON, Penn State’s 46-hour dance marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC), which raises millions for Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
When his friend Aden Broome suggested they both try out to be THON dancers, Smith agreed.
This year's event, held Feb. 21-23, far exceeded his expectations, he said.
“To put into words, it was so eye-opening, especially when you first get in,” Smith said. “There’s so much going on. I saw pictures of it, but didn’t expect it to be the way it was. Seeing the families and how much time and effort was put into supporting them and supporting us — I didn’t think we’d have that much love and support.”
Smith was one of four students from PSU-LV to participate in THON this year. Along with Maeve Yanes, Camila Serna and Aden Broome, Smith spent 46 hours on his feet, all for a good cause.
When the fundraising dollars were tallied, THON 2025 raised an incredible $17.7 million for Four Diamonds, beating last year’s record of over $16 million. Penn State Lehigh Valley came in third among the Commonwealth Campuses, raising an impressive $62,727.08. THON is the largest student-run philanthropic organization in the world and has raised approximately $236 million since its inception in 1973.
Broome said he was inspired to participate in THON by family members who had cancer.
“When I was given this opportunity to dance for a good cause, I didn’t hesitate,” he said.
His friend Yanes, who was about to dance in her second THON, gave him the final nudge he needed to try out.
“I went through an interview process and I was picked,” he said. “[To get ready], I do a lot of hikes so I thought I was good with standing.
"The no-sleeping part—I didn’t know how to prepare for that, but I figured several hours of staying up late gaming probably helped,” he laughed.
Serna joined the THON Club on campus and said she “fell in love with it. I joined because I want to help people — give them a brighter future, happiness, and a long life.”
She called the THON experience “awesome, mentally and emotionally. It was so hard physically — I felt good overall, though, except for my feet. It was exhausting but awesome.” Serna’s family came to the BJC to cheer her on, which helped keep her motivated.
Serna urges her fellow students to get involved with THON.
“We need more empathy. Students are our future generations — if you’re more involved and understand the issues of others, you get to change your perspective of the world," Serna said. "Not everyone has the same opportunities and privileges that you have.”
Joe Schwartz, PSU-LV admissions counselor and THON Club co-adviser, and Pam Fleck, assistant director of student affairs, accompanied the dancers and members of the PSU-LV THON Club to the BJC and stayed with the students throughout the weekend.
“Three of the four student dancers had never even been to THON, let alone dance in it. It was really special for them to have that experience. Then reality sets in — they can’t even sit down until this is over,” Schwartz said. “They did fantastic! They a great job collectively and individually of pacing themselves and staying hydrated.”
Fleck agreed, saying, “[The dancers] really pushed through everything and kept their spirits up. The whole purpose of the students going with us is to support the dancers and this amazing Penn State tradition. There are so many special parts of this — the Commonwealth Campus Hour where some of our group were picked to go on the floor with the dancers. There’s something at the end called the Final Four, which is the last four hours and very somber. Families touched by cancer can come onstage and speak. They end it with the band Go Go Gadjet, do all the totals, and the final total is at the very end.”
Smith said he is glad to have experienced THON as a dancer, but next time would want to apply to be a DRCM [Dance Relations Committee Member] to help the dancers.
“I think it’s something [Penn State] students should experience at least once. Even if I would just go to cheer on the dancers, I would be there because I love the event so much, but it’s definitely mentally taxing," he said.
Broome called it “a great experience. It’s not at all what I thought it would be — it was so much better. The fact that they raised over $17 million — when I saw those numbers, I thought about all the people it would help. I do a lot of community service and try to do my part to do good in the world. But I probably wouldn’t go to THON as a dancer again — I want to give another student the opportunity to experience it.,” he said.
Tina Q. Richardson, PSU-LV chancellor, also stopped by the BJC to lend her support for PSU-LV’s student dancers.
“That was really special,” Fleck said, adding about THON, “It’s amazing that it’s run by students — they’re so capable and confident. Nowhere else but Penn State will a student have this experience or opportunity. THON is totally a Penn State thing.”