From left: Penn State Hazleton students David Shrader, Sarah Ballek, Madilyn Stroup and Sarah Polashenski are gearing up to dance for 46 straight hours at THON 2025, set for Feb. 21 to 23 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
HAZLETON, Pa. — Penn State Hazleton students Sarah Polashenski, Madilyn Stroup and Sarah Ballek, along with alternate David Shrader, are gearing up to dance for 46 straight hours for a good cause.
The trio will be joining hundreds of other student dancers from Penn State campuses across the commonwealth for THON 2025, set for Feb. 21 to 23 at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus. All proceeds from THON, the world’s largest student-run philanthropic organization, go to the Four Diamonds Fund at the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. THON has raised more than $236 million to fight childhood cancer in its 48-year history. A total of 16,500 student volunteers make THON possible every year.
A student interested in being a THON dancer must go before the THON organization at their respective campus and give a presentation focused on why they want to participate. The THON organization and THON board of directors vote online to make the final selection.
Polashenski is a first-year physical therapist assistant major from Hazleton. After speaking with her for only a few minutes, it’s clear she has a passion for THON and the larger cause it benefits.
“I’ve always had a passion for dance — I’ve been dancing since I was 2 years old — and a passion for helping people. From the first time I heard about THON at the Club Fair last fall, I wanted to be part of it because it blends both things I’m passionate about. I want to help any way I can,” Polashenski said.
Polashenski has been talking about the event ever since she was chosen as one of the three THON dancers. Now, as the weekend quickly approaches, so does reality.
“I can’t believe I won’t be sleeping or sitting for 46 hours,” she said. “It’s kind of starting to sink in.”
Polashenski said she is thankful for the support she’s received from friends and family leading up to the event and is excited to take to the floor at the BJC.
Stroup is a second-year student from Williamstown pursuing an associate degree in physical therapist assistant and bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and human services at Penn State Hazleton.
“I’m huge on helping people in need, which is why I’m in the programs I’m in. When I came to Penn State, I came with the mission of helping kids with cancer have a better future,” Stroup said.
Ballek’s involvement in THON predates her time at Penn State. A second-year materials science and engineering major from Effort, Ballek participated in mini-THON events at her high school.
“I really enjoyed it and wanted to be part of the main THON event when I came to Penn State,” Ballek said. “There are so many great opportunities tied to it, and everyone is coming together for a bigger cause.”
Shrader, a freshman computer science major from Drums, is the team alternate from Penn State Hazleton. He and fellow student Lily Whipple have served as primary chairs of Penn State Hazleton Benefitting THON all year. After several months of fundraising and other preparation, he’s looking forward to attending the main event.
“We had the opportunity to get floor passes, so I’ll still be able to get out on the floor,” Shrader said.
The dancers are preparing for the multi-day event in various ways. All three are investing in durable footwear and doing more intense cardio workouts to build up their strength and endurance. Ballek and Stroup have cut back on their caffeine consumption, dancers are not allowed to have caffeinated beverages like coffee or energy drinks during the event.
Penn State Hazleton Benefitting THON is putting together kits containing hand sanitizers and tennis balls for de-stressing which will be distributed to the dancers.
“We’re doing as much as we can to help the dancers,” Shrader said. “We’ve been trying to get floor passes for everyone in the organization. Seeing familiar faces out on the floor will really help the dancers.”
His involvement with THON has brought him countless benefits.
“It’s a way to make a difference. And it’s totally student-run, so you build important leadership skills and meet so many new people,” Shrader said, adding that he hopes to continue staying involved in the club and do his part to help the Four Diamonds families. “It’s really all for the kids — everything we do is for them.”
According to Penn State Hazleton Benefitting THON Chair Lily Whipple, fundraisers this year included a designer purse bingo with tricky tray raffles, selling discount tickets for a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins game, threes for THON, raffles and concession sales at a campus women’s and men’s basketball game, an American Red Cross blood drive, and direct donations. Following Tuesday’s blood drive, the Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association presented a $500 donation to the group.
“We’re so thankful for the support of groups like the chapter and individuals,” Whipple said. “Every donation helps to make a difference in a sick child’s life.”
She added, “There’s still time to support the dancers and THON by donating online. The website is active all weekend.”
Whatever physical discomfort she might face, Polashenski puts it all in perspective: “I’m a dance teacher and have always worked with kids. Good health is something most of us take for granted. The kids living with cancer, and their families, their whole lives have changed. I’ve really been trying to spread the message of THON and be the light for others to learn more about it. If these kids have to endure cancer, standing or dancing for 46 hours is the least I can do. I’m so excited to do this.”
Participating in a check presentation from the Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association to Penn State Hazleton Benefitting THON during the American Red Cross blood drive on Feb. 18 were front row, from left: Jaime Brazenec, American Red Cross Blood Services; Wister Yuhas, chapter member; and students David Shrader, Madilyn Stroup and Lily Whipple. Back row, from left: Chapter members Richard Barrett, Maria Barna, Sandy Lagana and John Skwierz, and students Sarah Ballek and Sarah Polashenski.
