The early hours of Saturday morning have arrived at the Bryce Jordan Center, and some Penn State THON attendees shared their motivations for participating.

Andrew Canning said hes at THON with Delta Upsilon and is trying to stay the full 46 hours.

My friends are dancing down (on the floor), Canning, a fourth-year studying management information systems, said. Its a really good cause and I want to be there for them.

For Angelica Cerda, whos with Phi Gamma Nu, the goal is the same.

Last year I got close to (staying the whole time,) Cerda, a second-year studying management, said. I made that a goal for myself, and now Im doing it.

Taylor Turley said shes here to support two dancers with Operation Blue and Gold.

Im the primary chair for the org, Turley, a second-year studying biobehavioral health, said. So Im really here just to support (the organizations dancers) and let them look into the stands and see that were still there for them.

Michael Detato, a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa, has been at THON since 2 a.m. on Saturday and plans to stay for 20-25 hours.

For Detato, its just about being here with everyone.

I wanted to stay more and more just because of the people, Detato, a second-year studying health policy and administration, said.

Emily Treesh-Coln is a 2022 cybersecurity analytics and operations graduate and was a dancer in THON 2023. This year, shes with her organization, Eclipse, to support her boyfriend as he dances.

For Marcello Sabat, he said hes at THON with Lambda Chi Alpha and is going to try to stay as long as he can for the kids.

I think this is one of the few times that you can see everyone really come together, Sabat, a first-year studying finance, said. Now that (THON) is finally here, weve got to go all out.

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The sun rises over a snowy Panzer Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in University Park, Pa.

Madison Dowdell, a senior majoriing in psychology, waves to someone in the audience during the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

Jeanna + Perry perform during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Victoria Gil, a fourth-year studying criminology and psychology, dances during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Jack Huze, a first-year studying art, blows bubbles during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

THON dancers and attendees color together on the floor at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

Dancers stretch together at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

Dancers sing and dance together during a silent disco at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

The dancers scream and dance with each other during the line dance together at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

Dancers play "what's in the box" event during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Dancers pick up their packages for package call during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Olivia and Freddie, class of 2022 alumni singers, perform at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

Olivia and Freddie, class of 2022 alumni singers, perform at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

Megan Horan, a third-year studying biomedical engineering, and Ava Zoba, a fourth-year studying biomedical and mechanical engineering, sing and dance along with Olivia and Freddie, class of 2022 alumni singers, at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

The group Rainbow hugs after their performance at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

Lead singer of Stars and Sapphire Bernadette Bratina sings to the crowd during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Lead singer of Stars and Sapphire Bernadette Bratina sings to the crowd during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Alpha XI Delta and Alpha Sigma Phi perform a Barbie themed dance representing the Greek community during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

A young boy cheers onstage during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Kids participate in challenges onstage during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Dancers on the floor stretch during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Penn State student donors get their hair cut at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

The Luxurious Lionesses dance on stage during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

The Luxurious Lionesses dance on stage during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

THON performer John Kailian plays folk music for THON dancers during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

A little boy starts the "We Are" chant onstage during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Dancers gather for the Slide of Strength during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Jocelyn Hibbard, a second-year studying electrical engineering, participates in the Slide of Strength activity during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

A dancer participates in the Slide of Strength activity during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

A dancer participates in the Slide of Strength activity during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Senator Bob Casey speaks during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Island Fever performs during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

THON attendees pose for a photo during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

A THON dancer claps after the slides of strength during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

A THON dancer runs down the slides of strength during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

THON attendees sing and dance through the 2000s with Ted McCloskey and the Hi-Fi's ft. MollyCountermine at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

Isla Forsyth, 4, blows bubbles at the 52nd THON in the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Talent show contestant Sarah Zeisloft holds up a basketball during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Multiple talent show contestants hug each other during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Talent show contestant Charlize Curry, left, and Jackson Brennen, right, perform together during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Talent show contestant Charlize Curry dances during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Levi Krobel performs in the talent show at the 52nd THON in the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

The Nittany Lion mascot and Penn State Mic Man Ben Meloy hype up the crowd before the Pep Rally at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

The Nittany Lion mascot points during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

The Penn State men's gymnastics performs their dance for the pep rally during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

The Penn State women's hockey team performs their dance for the pep rally during the during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Blue Sapphire Mackenzie Bronk performs at the 52nd THON in the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

The men's gymnastics team performs at the Pep Rally at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

The Penn State football team performs their dance for the pep rally during the during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

The football team performs at the Pep Rally at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

The Nittany Lion entertains the crowd at the 52nd THON on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa.

DJ Dosk performs on stage during the during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

Walk on Mars lead singer Mary Joe Swang sings to the dancers during the during the 52nd THON at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2024 in University Park, Pa.

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THON attendees share where they get their early morning motivation - The Daily Collegian