THON Dictionary

* Big Move - The Thursday night before THON, the OPPerations committee transforms the BJC into the home of THON.

* BJC - Bryce Jordan Center, home of THON 2008.

* Canning - Four weekends throughout the year are set as canning weekends. Students drive hours to surrounding areas to stand with cans to collect spare change and hold “Help Kids with Cancer” signs around their necks.

* Color Wars - THON Dancers are separated into four different color teams for THON weekend and compete against each other in relay races and other fun activities that build team camaraderie and provide entertainment.

* Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group (DMAIG) - Alumni who were once involved in THON host regional fundraising events to keep in touch and continue supporting THON.

* Diamonder - The Program for THON weekend that is sold to spectators explaining what THON is as well as the people and families involved.

* Final Hour - a term that describes the hours of THON following Family Hour. This is an emotional time of THON filled with uplifting songs, sad songs, and circles of organizations swaying together. The stands fill up with people to participate in the final hours.

* Floor Passes - In order to be allowed onto the dance floor to visit the dancers THON weekend, a visitor must use a floor pass to gain access. Floor passes are a special privilege and only those whose names are on a pass list are allowed onto the dance floor.

* Larry Moore - A past THON dancer and dedicated THON enthusiast, Larry Moore is the DJ for the entire 46 hours of THON weekend.

* Line Dance - a synchronized dance with Penn State and national current events done hourly to motivate the dancers.

* Mail Call - Dancers, Captains, Kids, and Overalls received care packages and inspirational messages from friends and family Sunday morning when they need inspiration most!

* Mat Cleaning - Several times a year captains and committee members scrub mats by hand that cover the floor THON weekend.

* Mini THONs - Throughout Pennsylvania, elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools hold their own, smaller versions of THON to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund.

* Pass System - The pass system uses the floor passes combined with a computer system to monitor how many visitors are on the dance floor at a time.

* Pep Rally - This exciting moment held the Saturday night of THON involves numerous members of Penn State sports teams, along with the cheerleaders and the Blue Band.

* Pledge Booking - Pledge Booking is another form of fundraising organizations participate in to raise money for THON. Students go door-to-door in neighborhoods and ask residents to donate to THON by filling out a pledge form. The donor then receives a bill in the mail.

* Red Shirt - A THON committee member who acts as security for the THON weekend.

* Sleep Shifts - THON captains are allowed two 4-hour periods to sleep during THON weekend. Captains do not leave the building all weekend; they sleep in the BJC!

* Souvenir DVD/Video - A documentary of the THON season for that year, available for purchase on THON.org.

* Tear Down - After the total is raised at the end of THON, OPP committees and captains clean up and restore the building to its normal state in roughly five hours.

* The “WALK” - A hallway completely decorated in a theme to take the dancers’ minds off their tired feet.

* Theme Hours - The Morale committee plans large hour-long events where the entire dance floor is transformed into a themed atmosphere with games and decorations.

* THINK - (THon INformation NetworK) - THON’s online data management system, used by various committees to keep track of important information!

* THON Museum - A traveling display of THON’s past, the museum can be seen at the Road to THON Celebration and during THON weekend.

* THON Podcast - An online blog where people can post messages during THON weekend. You can subscribe using the iTunes music program.