From a young age, fourth-year twin sisters Jordan and Brooke Petrone always had one shared dream: dance together during THON weekend.

Long before getting accepted to Penn State in 2021, these sisters had a goal of getting involved in THON in any way they could. Upon arriving at University Park, Brooke and Jordan joined ESA, a special interest organization dedicated to THON-specific initiatives, where the pair helped organize events and fundraise throughout the year.

With cancer affecting the Petrone family in multiple ways, from one family member, Kayla, being a former THON child, to their own mother’s battle with breast cancer, Brooke described how she and Jordan personally connected to THON’s mission and longed to help support families who have also been negatively impacted by cancer.

“Ever since we were in middle school and high school, we knew about THON and always wanted to dance for it,” Brooke said. “We have dealt firsthand with seeing our family members battle cancer, so to go through it and know what it’s like, we wanted to give back to the cause in this way.”

The twins, determined to dance at THON, took the IDC fundraising process very seriously. 

Using community connections and creative thinking, the sisters were strategic in coming up with new and exciting fundraisers for their local community to enjoy. From ribbon sales, Christmas wrapping events, and sending out countless THONvelopes, Brooke explained how she and Jordan used every resource available to them to raise as much money as possible FTK.

“We always said how we wanted to be in the top five for raising the most amount of money for this cause because it’s that important to us. And so when we started fundraising, we looked at all the past IDCs and what they did that made them so successful, and took pointers from that,” said Brooke. “We also tried to figure out new ideas and new ways to think outside the box for these fundraisers, and I think that’s how we got to where we are now.”

After months of hard work raising money in their community, Brooke and Jordan shared how getting selected in the IDC lottery was an indescribable feeling, one of pure joy and relief that neither of them could have prepared for. Seeing their overwhelming passion for THON translate into dancing at THON Weekend 2025 was a full-circle moment that the sisters will cherish forever. They explained how dancing, while a daunting task at times, is allowing them to physically show their support for a cause they hold dear to their hearts. 

Jordan and Brooke’s excitement for THON 2025 is not only rooted in the fact that they both dancing for the largest student-run philanthropy, but that they are dancing together, as sisters. 

The duo described how despite needing some brief moments of alone time apart throughout the weekend, it is a complete game changer to have your longest friend by your side for these 46 hours. Jordan shared how dancing alongside Brooke adds a much-needed layer of comfortability to the experience, and how she would not want to dance with anyone else.

“It’s good to know that I can say anything and do anything and she is always going to be there. I know at the end of the day, no matter what happens, she’s got my back, and I would not want to go through this process with anyone else,” Jordan explained. “She has seen me at my worst, and in those tough moments when we are just so tired, I would not want anyone else beside me.”

The pair shared how even as times get tough during the weekend, putting their opportunity to dance at THON Weekend into perspective, and remembering why they are here has helped the sisters overcome any hurdles.

They both highlighted how so many students would be grateful to be in their shoes, and while the feet that fill those shoes may be hurting now, Jordan and Brooke are overwhelmingly thankful for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they are currently living, and the impact they are making as dancers.

“To remember why we are doing this is the most important thing that we have to keep remembering. I am doing this for my mom, I am doing this for Kayla, but also for all THON kids that have to go through these challenges,” Jordan said. “So it doesn’t matter if I have to go through a little discomfort if it means I can raise money for them.”