Whiplash Dance Team took home first place at the annual THON Showcase Sunday night in Schwab Auditorium.

The victory secured the group a performance slot for THON Weekend and a $3,000 donation credited to its organization. The event, sponsored by Dunkin’, displayed a wide variety of talents from both new and old campus organizations and individuals.

Sunday night’s showcase was judged by Will Vincent, THON’s executive director; Sofia Moussan, Movin’ On’s executive director; Paige Myers, Penn State Homecoming’s executive director, and Katie Feeney, a student and social media influencer.

Throughout the evening, the audience was treated to performances by various dance groups, a cappella groups, individual performers, and even Penn State’s Sign Language Organization. Despite the lineup of acts, only five returned home with prizes at the end of the night.

Orchesis Dance Company, Penn State’s oldest dance group, put on a breathtaking performance to Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” Its paired THON organization showed up in large numbers to support the team and could be heard from all corners of Schwab. Orchesis took home fifth place and a $650 credit to its organization.

For the first time, The Luxurious Lionesses graced the THON Showcase stage. Founded in April 2023, the group is Penn State’s first HBCU-style majorette dance team. The team danced to an upbeat mashup of songs, including the likes of Beyonce. Despite being brand new to the THON scene, The Luxurious Lionesses walked away with fourth place, earning an $850 donation credit.

Penn State Dance Alliance performed to a handpicked medley of songs that it chose with its THON families in mind, looking to showcase the theme of “strength in unity.” The medley included some older hits from Bruno Mars, David Guetta, Macklemore, and more. PSDA will perform at THON, as the group took home third place and a $1,000 donation.

An acoustic group called JTime, made up of a total of four members from various affiliations such as THON’s Operations committee and Club Baseball, sang “Home” by Phillip Phillips and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” The band of guitarists and vocalists took home second place, which guarantees the group a performance slot during THON Weekend and a $2,000 donation.

Whiplash Dance Team hit the floor for an energetic dance to a mashup of Drake songs in matching jerseys, earning cheers from the audience throughout their act. After lengthy deliberations, the judges crowned Whiplash the THON Showcase champion. The team received a $3,000 donation to its organization’s total and will take the stage at the Bryce Jordan Center next month.

We dance in 25, folks!