Three dancers from Penn State Altoona were kind enough to share their thoughts with us about THON 2021, all while continuing to dance FTK, baby.

Kat Irving, Emma Olofson, and Mackenzie Haley are all first-time dancers in this year’s virtual THON. The three friends are going through THON Weekend every step of the way together, which is fine by them.

“We just have a really close bond,” Irving said. “Of course, we would much rather be having a traditional THON. But this is still fun, and we feel like we are making history together.”

Penn State Altoona is taking a different route than other branch campuses, as it is offering dancers the opportunity to dance at different times in the Slep Student Center, which normally serves as a recreational and relaxation center for students.

“We danced in the Slep building Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and we go back Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.,” said Irving. “It’s definitely different from the BJC, it’s still great to have the experience.”

There are unique challenges that come with this year’s event that every group has had to endure. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a bad thing.

“I’ve just been keeping an open mind and taking everything in stride,” Olofson said. “Our whole group has made it so special with surprises for us. I’m sure there are a lot of them still coming.”

Haley agreed and noted that Altoona’s group has done “a great job” staying focused and reaching its goals.

“There hasn’t been a drop-off at all in the amount of support that we’ve received from the community,” Haley said.

Even under these strange circumstances, to say the least, Altoona’s dancers believe people everywhere can still find ways to come together in the fight against pediatric cancer.

“I just think this year truly shows that THON is bigger than the entertainment. It’s really about standing for what you believe in, and it shows the dedication of all THON volunteers,” Irving said.