Four Eberly College of Science Students Will Dance in THON This Weekend
THON 2010 is quickly approaching as four dancers from two Eberly College of Science student organizations gear up for the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, which raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.
Sasha Slipak, president of Science LionPride, canning for THON along with two Science LionPride members.
One of these organizations, the Science LionPride, gears up for its first time having dancers on the floor. The group raised enough money this year to have two of its original founders dance for the fight against pediatric cancer. Andrew Shoemaker, a senior biology major from Alburtis, Pennsylvania, was one of two lucky names drawn from six seniors to represent Science LionPride at THON. Shoemaker helped found the club during his sophomore year when only about six members joined. The club has grown to about 35 members and was able to raise over $5,000 for THON. “It started with flying colors. It’d be great to keep it going and keep raising money for the kids,” Shoemaker said. He is the service chair for LionPride, in which he helps coordinate three major service events: THON, Habitat for Humanity and Relay for Life. Shoemaker’s favorite aspect of LionPride is the camaraderie, but enjoys helping high school prospects and communicating with alumni.
Sasha Slipak, the president of Science LionPride was the other name selected to represent the Science LionPride on the dance floor at THON. Slipak is a senior from Tannersville, Pennsylvania, with double majors in math and chemistry. He is highly involved in both the Science LionPride as president and Web chair and Math Club as vice president. Slipak was also one of the founders of Science LionPride in spring of 2008. He said watching LionPride members come together this year to work toward a common purpose, THON, has been rewarding. “Working with Science LionPride and seeing how excited people were brought us together and we found a common ground,” Slipak said. In addition to his involvement in student organizations and double major coursework, Slipak has been doing research in nuclear magnetic resonance since his sophomore year.
Another Eberly College of Science organization, the Biology Club, is equally thrilled about having two members dance for the kids and their families at THON. Michele Sassano is a junior biobehavioral health major from Altoona, Pennsylvania. She may be spotted performing on the football field in navy blue satin and sequence as one of Penn State’s majorettes! Sassano joined Biology Club when she was a freshman to meet people who were similar to her major. The Biology Club hosts speakers to talk about science career paths, collaborates with fellow club members about activities, class help and class recommendations and collects food, supplies and toys for animals at the SPCA. But Sassano said THON is the most profound activity the club has been involved with in the past two years, from mailing out THONvelopes to traveling for canning trips. Sassano said, “THON is something nice we can do that’s not specifically science-related, but it actually is related because it’s pediatric cancer. That might be something that would interest some of our club members as a career.”
Stephanie Huff, a junior biology major from Easton, Pennsylvania, is also dancing for the fight against childhood cancer while representing Biology Club. Huff has her sights set on medical school upon graduation from Penn State, aspiring to be a pediatrician or pediatric surgeon. Huff joined Biology Club this year as a way to become more involved in her field of study and connect with other students and alumni. She is also a member of the Pre-Medicine Society and the Student National Medical Association. Huff said THON has made an impact on her career ambitions and future by inspiring her to attain her goals of going to medical school. “As a member of Biology Club, I was honored to help raise money for THON and be selected as a dancer.”
For more information about THON and how you can help, visit http://www.thon.org/