Sleep deprivation isn’t uncommon for college students, but 46 straight hours of dancing and singing is even more hardcore than any finals week cram session. The body begins to beg for a warm bed. Muscles ache. Temples throb. The effects of denying the body any rest begin to settle in. That’s when many reach for the can of high grade caffeine and 8000% of the daily suggested Vitamin B intake.

At press row, many intrepid writers have been fighting off the sandman with Rockstars, Red Bulls and Diet Cokes. However, as us journos selfishly slug down sugars, many through out the BJC are staying awake with nothing more than water, concession stand eats and an electric spirit.

The dudes from Phi Kappa Tau were pulling a Joe Cocker and getting by with a little help from their friends. Zombie eyes and contagious yawns were fought off with cheesy dance moves and chants of “FTK, bro.” Admittedly, the Usher and Lil Jon playing over the house speakers helped a lot but the main stimulant for one brother, Collin, were the names of the THON kids.

“Cora, Maddie, Travis, Carter…” he trailed off in a half-conscience state. “You’re so out of it, dude,” said one of the other brothers. “…ugh..yeah I am.”

Regardless of the occasional zone-out, PKT was keeping the party alive while keeping in mind the motto of the weekend-For The Kids!

Standing in the bleachers becomes monotonous after running through the line dance more times than you can ever remember. So instead, many THON patrons make their way out into the hallways to get their game on. Tennis balls, Nerf vortexes and anything else that flies or bounces fill the concourse air. It’s a great way to keep the body active while also helping to ease some of the mental strain associated with hour upon hour of bumping and grooving. Time flies when you’re having fun!

It’s easier to get over your own sleepiness when you’re thinking about someone else. A number of THONers ditched the cans of Red Bull for a pack of Sharpies to make signs and crafts for that special dancer on the BJC floor.

Don’t get me wrong, I ran into many caffeine addicts roaming the halls of the BJC. Some went with the new school stimulants like energy drinks, 5 Hour Energy shots and caffeine pills while many stuck with the conventional cup of Seattle’s Best. But the majority of THONers weren’t running on Dunkin but rather on the energy of thousands of sleep deprived philanthropists, pumped up on kicking pediatric cancer’s ass. Come at me, bro!