PSU students helping to raise money for children’s cancer research
Penn State freshman Kalina Interval, a graduate of Trinity High School, entertains one of the Four Diamonds’ cancer patients during Penn State’s annual THON fundraiser at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Trinity High School graduate Marlee DeBolt, in white hat, supported fellow dancers in the Tapestry Dance Company from the stands during THON at the Bryce Jordan Center. Although illness prevented the Penn State freshman from making it to the floor, DeBolt participated in several fundraisers, including a “canning” weekend in New Jersey, leading up to the main event.
Two Trinity High School graduates are making a big impact at Penn State University – and they are only freshmen.
Marlee DeBolt and Kalina Interval both played active roles in the university’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon to benefit pediatric cancer treatment and research through the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
THON, as it is more familiarly known, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. All student organizations, sororities, fraternities and athletic teams at Penn State participate in THON in some capacity, from “canning” for cash throughout the state and beyond, to dancing during the 46-hour event at the Bryce Jordan Center.
This year, THON raised $13,026,653, falling shy of last year’s record-breaking haul of $13,343,517.
To show its support and increase this year’s donation total, the Washington-Greene Counties Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association will hold its fifth annual “We, Too, Can Dance” charity social April 11 at Julian’s Banquet Hall in Washington.
Interval will attend the social and is expected to speak. Last year, the local alumni group raised more than $5,000.
As a member of the hospitality committee during THON, Interval delivered food and drinks to Four Diamonds families, and she helped entertain the young cancer patients.
“It was one of the reasons I came to Penn State,” Interval said. “It was completely life-changing. Actually, you have to do it yourself to see the impact it makes. It was amazing.”
Students do not talk about cancer with the families, Interval said. Instead, “you just kind of have fun and show them support,” said Interval, referring to the party atmosphere of beach balls and bubbles.
Interval, daughter of Tom and Colleen Interval of Washington, also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity at Penn State, serves as a homecoming captain and is a member of Smeal Student Society.
But it’s her involvement with THON that, so far in her young college career, has been most rewarding. Next year, Interval plans to interview for a captain’s role at THON.
“THON was the first time I actually felt like I was a part of something at Penn State,” said Interval, who has not committed to a major, but is considering business. “During the final four hours, the whole BJC linked arms and swayed back and fourth while the families told their stories. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the whole BJC.
“It was so touching to see so many people come together ‘For the Kids.’ I can talk about my experience with THON for hours, but there are truly no words to describe it.”
Even though DeBolt was forced to view THON from the stands on a limited basis because of an illness, she, too, was quite impressed with the event.
“I have no words for how it felt being there,” DeBolt said. “I was overwhelmed at first. But it was cool to partake as an organization and have the experienced veterans guide me through.”
DeBolt, daughter of Scott and Carol DeBolt of Washington, is a member of the Tapestry Dance Company, the resident tap dancing company at Penn State that performs around campus and participates in homecoming and THON. The dancers partnered with Theta Chi fraternity throughout the year for canning weekends, alternative fundraisers and THON family activities. Shortly after arriving at Penn State in the fall, DeBolt made a canning trip to New Jersey.
During THON, she provided as much vocal support as possible for fellow dancers.
“I was not there as much as I would have liked,” said DeBolt, who is majoring in both economics and international politics. “I was not on the floor at all.”
THON was founded in 1973 by fraternity students as a way to fight the winter doldrums and support the community. It was held as a dance competition, and the first event took place in the HUB ballroom. The 30-hour dance raised $2,000 and was donated to a local charity to benefit special needs children.
THON began partnering with the Four Diamonds Fund in 1977, and soon outgrew the HUB. It moved to the White Building in 1979, where it was held until 1999, when it moved to Rec Hall. It has been held at the Bryce Jordan Center since 2007. In 2012, THON broke the $10 million fundraising mark for the first time.