Name: Nina Royer

Major: Health Policy and Administration/Premed

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2022: Dancer Relations Committee Member
THON 2023: Dancer Relations Committee Member
THON 2024: Dancer Relations Captain: Dancer Storage

What made you want to apply for a director position for THON 2025?

Ultimately, I decided to apply to be a member of the Executive Committee for THON 2025 because of how much this organization has impacted my time at Penn State. I truly found a home in this community among my peers as well as the families we serve. Hearing our family’s stories has given me so much perspective and an appreciation for the strength and courage they demonstrate each day. The connections and memories I’ve made are irreplaceable, and I knew that in my last year at Penn State, there is no other way I’d want to spend my year than dedicating my time and effort to an organization and a mission that means so much to me.

What are your responsibilities as a THON director?

As the Dancer Relations Director, I serve as the primary liaison between all students selected to dance in THON Weekend and the rest of the Executive Committee. I assist my 24 captains in coordinating all the logistical aspects of the dancer experience. These projects include registering all the dancers before THON Weekend, planning activities and events during THON Weekend to keep dancers awake and engaged, working with contacts such as Athletic Training and the College of Nursing and Emergency Medical Services to ensure the dancers are physically safe, and ensuring all dancers make it home safely following THON Weekend.

What do you want to implement in your position this year that differs from years past?

Three main goals I have for my position this year include creating more opportunities for dancers to decompress throughout THON Weekend, specifically during historically crowded or overstimulating times, implementing initiatives to make our projects more sustainable, and increasing our efforts to incorporate families into the dancer events so we are ensuring they are kept at the forefront of everything we do!

What makes your committee so cool, fun, and/or important?

Dancer Relations is a very fun committee because we are able to support the dancers physically and emotionally as they embark on the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon. Our committee members are trained in keeping dancers stretched and feeling good throughout the entirety of the weekend.

One unique aspect of our committee is that we create a line dance, which is essentially a recap from the past year and incorporates topics such as Penn State, world events, pop culture, and THON. Its purpose is to stretch participants once every hour and provide motivation to the dancers and spectators!

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2025?

Overall, I hope my committee is able to spread THON’s mission, increase awareness surrounding childhood cancer, and provide as many opportunities for dancers to feel supported to have the most meaningful THON Weekend. Some of these dancers attend Penn State for the sole purpose of participating in THON. Additionally, I look forward to creating lasting memories for our families and giving them a year of unwavering encouragement, comfort, and love.

Why do you THON?

I THON so no parents have to hear the words “your child has cancer,” I THON so medical bills are a family’s last worry when going through treatment, I THON for all those we remember in our hearts, I THON for my future patients, and I THON for a cure. All kids deserve the chance to just be kids and have the opportunity to chase their dreams fearlessly. There are truly too many reasons to put into words.

Throughout my time in this organization, it’s been inspiring to hear other volunteer’s reasons for getting involved in this organization. I carry their stories and why they THON with me, which has become a part of my motivation as well.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

While there are many to choose from, one specific memory that stands out is last year’s Family Carnival. This is an event held in December where all THON committees and various organizations work together to host a fun-filled day with many carnival games for our families to participate in. It was my first year being able to attend the event, and it was truly such a magical day. I couldn’t help but look around and just be in awe of all the work our volunteers put in year-round. At this event, I was able to meet my committee’s paired family through the pen pal program, the Braden Fleagle family, and since then our relationship has grown so strong and I consider them all a second family!

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

If I could be any dinosaur I would be a Microraptor because I love their colorful wings, and my captains call me “Grandma Bird,” so I feel this is a fitting dino!