Penn State Abington’s Julia Valletti and Natalie Arabinick are two of the 592 dancers participating in THON 2021.

Like many, they’re first-timers, and despite the virtual format, they’re eager to make a difference for all the THON families out there

Valletti, a sophomore, was involved with THON last year at the Altoona branch campus. Once she came to Penn State her freshman year, she knew she wanted to dance in THON.

“I always knew that I wanted to go to Penn State,” Valletti said. “Once I figured out what THON was, I knew I wanted to get involved with THON and my ultimate goal was to dance. I just think that the cause it’s for is great obviously, and, you know, it’s just the greatest environment to be in.”

Not only is Valletti dancing this year, but she also serves as Abington’s Family Relations Captain after transferring to the campus. Valletti has been in contact with THON child Eliot Dean and his family during the lead-up to THON, as she’s sent Eliot care packages and has been in touch with his mom through Facebook.

“It’s just great to hear a little bit about their journey and what they’ve been through, while also giving them the support that they need, especially with everything being so different with THON this year,” Valletti said.

Arabinick’s THON journey is quite different than Valletti’s. She’s a freshman, so this year’s THON is sort of a first-time experience for her.

However, throughout high school, she danced in mini-THON’s at her own high school and the surrounding ones. When she decided to come to Penn State, the decision to get involved with THON was easy.

“When I chose Penn State to go to school I was like, ‘That’s what I want to do, I definitely want to be involved in THON.’ Plus it’s for a really good cause,” Arabinick said.

Leading up to THON, Arabinick has been posting her Donor Drive on Facebook and raising money FTK. She’s proud to be representing Abington, emphasizing that it’s for a really good cause and “cancer never stops.”

Valletti felt an extra urge to represent Abington this year due to the virtual format. While many people would be hesitant to dance because they wouldn’t be in the Bryce Jordan Center, Valletti was eager to get involved.

“I wanted to represent Abington this year, especially this year, because I feel like it was really different and weird for people to get involved, especially in a virtual setting,” Valletti said. “It’s for a great cause. Just because everything is different this year, doesn’t mean that THON stops, doesn’t mean that cancer stops — we still have to do this.”

For a lot of dancers, there is something specific that inspires them to dance in THON. Valletti is no different, as she’s been inspired by family members and Four Diamond families.

“I feel like people that have had [cancer] in my family were kinda like the encouragement for me to get involved with THON,” Valletti said. “Just reading through some of the Four Diamond families stories, it was just kind of so inspirational and it made you feel so great that students, college students, could pull something off like this. That was a big reason why I wanted to get involved.”

Arabinick has a different inspiration, as she works in a preschool and is surrounded by kids often.

“I’m with [the kids] all the time and if any of them ever had to go through [cancer], I would be the first person there to support them,” Arabinick said. “And even if I don’t know these kids that I’m dancing for at THON Weekend directly, I just feel so good that I’m helping kids because I love working with kids so much…I know my small way of dancing is helping them so much.”

Many feel that every Penn Stater should participate in THON at least once. Valletti agrees, calling THON “a great organization to be a part of.”

“My first THON was last year and the feeling that you feel when you walk into the BJC is just unmatched,” Valletti said. “There’s nothing better than walking into the BJC for your first THON. I feel like it’s an experience that everyone should experience, and I think that it’s something every Penn State student should get involved in because, again, it’s for that great cause and it’s a fun weekend where you can build relationships and make new friends.”