THON™: Meet Our 2026 Dancers and Find Out How You Can Get Involved
It’s almost time for THON™! If you can’t participate in this unique and exciting event in person, you can still play an important role by supporting the World Campus Benefitting THON student organization and cheering on our Penn State World Campus THON dancers from wherever you are.
What is THON?
Officially known as the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, THON focuses on raising money for childhood cancer research and is the largest student-run philanthropy initiative in the world. Fundraising and awareness activities happen all year round, but the main event is a 46-hour, nonstop dance marathon held every February.
This year, THON will be held the weekend of February 20.
How You Can Support THON
This year, the World Campus for THON organization has two dancers participating in the event. Your support can help them stay motivated. Email them your messages of support to [email protected] by February 18.
The dancers are aiming to exceed the fundraising efforts of previous campaigns, and you can help them reach that goal by making a donation online.
World Campus students can also get involved by joining the World Campus Benefitting THON student organization.
Meet the 2026 World Campus THON Dancers
Jenna Baker
Quote that inspires you: “One person can change so many lives. All the volunteers definitely changed my life and my family’s. It’s all worth it in the end, when you know that you just changed someone’s life and they are forever grateful.” — Devin Pulaski Family Story
Why do you want to dance? I want to dance for the largest student-run philanthropy [event], to take a stand against childhood cancer. Being an intern for Four Diamonds has shown me just how resilient our families truly are, and if they can make it through a childhood cancer diagnosis, it’s a small sacrifice to make it through 46 hours on my feet.
Can you describe your excitement for THON weekend? I am SO incredibly excited! Being able to spend all four of my years in undergrad at University Park as a THON volunteer was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, and I can’t imagine anything more exciting than being able to come back for THON 2026 as a dancer! Spending three years as a captain means I played a part in the magic that is THON Weekend, and I’m stoked for the opportunity to soak in all the hard work the THON community has put forth this year.
Goal as a THON dancer: To remember who I’m dancing for and soak it all in! It’s easy to fall into a rut and focus on how tired you are or how much your feet hurt, but this is truly minuscule in comparison to the battles our families are facing. That being said, I hope I can keep their spirit and memory alive during this journey and never forget my “why” for dancing!
How would you describe the impact of THON to a World Campus student who hasn’t been involved before? Even though a lot of my THON journey took place while enrolled at University Park, it is absolutely amazing how any student from any part of the world can have a lasting impact on our families. THON not only bonds you with like-minded individuals working toward a cause that’s so much bigger than us all, but it also gives you a sense of purpose and community — even if you’re states away from your closest co-volunteer. Childhood cancer sees no geographical bounds, and the impact our cause has not only on our families, but on pediatric cancer research as a whole allows us to make a generational difference in the lives of kids across the globe.
Robert Billings
Quote that inspires you: “Treat others how you want to be treated.” This quote reminds me to lead with empathy and kindness in everything I do. It’s a simple mindset, but it carries a lot of weight, especially in spaces like THON where compassion, respect, and care for others are at the heart of the mission.
What inspired you to return as a THON dancer for a second year? Returning as a THON dancer was an easy decision after last year. Experiencing THON firsthand showed me how powerful it is when people come together with empathy and purpose. I wanted the chance to give back again, knowing how much it means to the families and to be part of something that truly puts others first.
How has knowing what THON weekend is like as a dancer shaped your excitement or enthusiasm? Are you doing anything different to prepare for THON this year? Knowing what THON weekend is like has made me even more excited. Instead of being overwhelmed by the unknown, I’m looking forward to fully embracing the experience. This year, I’m preparing more intentionally by focusing on staying present, supporting the people around me, and reminding myself why we’re all there — to treat the kids and families with the same care and respect we’d want for ourselves.
In dancing for a second year in a row, is there something you would like to do differently or more intentionally this year? This year, I want to be more present. Last year flew by, and I want to slow it down — be more aware of the families, the energy in the BJC [Bryce Jordan Center], and the people supporting us. I also want to be more intentional about supporting my fellow dancers and embracing the moments that are tough as much as the ones that are joyful.
Goal as a THON dancer: To really dance with the cause in mind. During all the tough late-night hours, I plan on spending time in the tunnel reading about all the affected families and their stories.
How would you describe the impact of THON to a World Campus student who hasn’t been involved before? THON makes a massive university feel incredibly small in the best way. It connects you to something bigger than yourself and shows you the real, tangible impact students can have when they come together. Even as a World Campus student, you feel fully included in the mission, the community, and the purpose. Once you experience that, it stays with you.
Related Content:
Student organizations — find out how you can get involved with student organizations at World Campus