Phil thinks the money THON raises is absolutely going toward a great cause looking at it through his background and field of study. I’ll do crazy things to get people’s attention,” he said. Phil said THON’s goals and ideals matched with his personality along with his passion for science and medicine. “I thought it was for a noble cause,” he said, “It seemed like the right thing to do.” It was an amazing experience,” she said, “But, if I did do it again, I would need more calf massages.”Ī 2000 Penn State graduate, now finishing up a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine and osteopathic manipulation, said the dancing in THON was just one way to fulfill a boy’s childhood dream of one day finding a cure for cancer.Īfter having two co-ops relating to his dream of going into medicine, Philip Miller danced to represent the Kappa Theta Epsilon co-op honor society in 200, its year of induction. “I don’t think there is anything I’d do differently. Jolene said she would absolutely dance in THON again if she had the chance. “Every time we hugged a child we gave them a piece of yarn from yarn necklaces that we had on,” she said, “The little kids were just running around hugging everyone.” It was my little sister saying, ‘Go Jolene!’ I saved them,” she said.įor Jolene, the best part of THON 2007 was a game where captains brought out the four-diamonds kids. Right around that time, Mail Call was brought to her and she had 40 letters and packages from her family. Jolene said she was excited before THON and during THON, but there was one time she felt really tired. “I think people that dance in THON and have a science background can really appreciate the meaning behind it,” she said, “They understand the disease.” Jolene feels the two worlds of a dance marathon and science can come together for one common goal to fight childhood cancer. Jolene feels that between her schooling, research and THON, her passion for pediatrics and leukemia has really come full circle. THON is just another outlet for me to contribute,” she said. “I’ve always had kind of an interest in it. Jolene’s research in Nashville is with pediatric leukemia. Jolene is currently doing a fellowship with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Upon graduating with a biology degree, Jolene was accepted to medical school at Ohio State University. She joined KTE her junior year and became the president for her senior year. Jolene Mariotti, a 2007 Penn State graduate from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, represented Kappa Theta Epsilon in THON 2007. It was the first time THON was held at the Bryce Jordan Center, the first time THON was 46 instead of 48 hours, and the first time the Kappa Theta Epsilon co-op honor society participated in THON. “It was neat to see THON canners again, especially near my hometown,” he said, “It was a nice reminder of what I used to do.”Īnother alumni dancer experienced many THON “firsts” in her dance marathon participation. But one ordinary grocer-shopping trip in his hometown sparked some great THON memories. Since graduating, Josh has been busily looking for a job. I just saw so many people supporting us in awesome, brightly colored shirts.” We were all just getting pumped up,” he said, “The human tunnel was awesome.”īesides interacting with the kids, Josh said his most memorable experience throughout THON weekend was the beginning of the finale when many families, friends and students arrived for the final four hours. “I remember the two hours we were in the IM building right before thon. “I’m glad I did because it was the most challenging part of my life, but it was also the most fun I’ve ever had,” he said.īefore THON, Josh said he was more excited than nervous while waiting with his partner. Josh had co-ops at GlaxoSmithKline, a research-based pharmaceutical company, and McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a Johnson and Johnson company.Īlthough Josh considered dancing in THON for a while before committing, he said the final rewards outweighed the physical tiredness. Before graduating with a life sciences degree, he was a member, secretary and treasurer of Kappa Theta Epsilon throughout his nine semesters at Penn State. Josh danced his senior year representing Kappa Theta Epsilon, an engineering and science co-op honor society. “I just kept having images of THON in my head and having THON withdrawal,” said Josh Carpenter, a 2009 graduate from Chalfont, Pennsylvania. After one alumni dancer had just stood on his feet for 46 hours, he rested his head on his pillow only to feel like he missed THON.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |