Campus Life

They did it 'For The Kids'

Kailey Gearhart and Kelly Arnold, the campus' 2017 THON dancers, pose for a photo during their campus send-off last week, prior to leaving for University Park and THON weekend.  The campus held a pep-rally style send-off that over 100 students attended. Credit: Kelly FreyAll Rights Reserved.

Campus nursing students Kelly Arnold and Kailey Gearhart did it "for the kids!"

The two women made it through their first THON experience, dancing for 46 consecutive hours in the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park's THON this weekend.

Overall, the event raised over $10 million for the Four Diamonds Fund and the fight against pediatric cancer.

Closer to home, the Penn State Worthington Scranton (PSWS) campus community raised over $14,000, according to Matt Nied, assistant director, programs, unions and students.

The weekend kicked off early for the PSWS students with a pep rally-style send-off on Thursday afternoon in The View Cafe. Over 100 students joined in to give Arnold and Gearhart a warm and enthusiastic send-off.

The cafeteria was filled with students enjoying Penn State Creamery ice cream in celebration of the event and the entire View Café was pumped full of energy as they cheered the dancers on through a tunnel of supporters.

The send-off even made the local news, garnering interviews with the dancers, as well as Student Government Association President Shawna Corcoran, herself a survivor of pediatric cancer, who was going to THON with the dancers as part of the campus' support group.

Click here to see the interview:  fox56.com/news/local/local-students-to-dance-in-thon-this-weekend

On Friday, more students, faculty and staff made the trip to State College to be part of the support team that would cheer them on throughout the weekend, helping them keep their spirits and energy high!

Their combined efforts got Penn State Worthington Scranton a special spotlight piece/profile on Onward State as one of the most vibrant groups at THON 2017!

onwardstate.com/2017/02/19/thon-org-profile-penn-state-worthington-scranton/

Congratulations to Kelly and Kailey and everyone else who participated in THON!

Last Updated February 22, 2017