By Michael Hong, Co-Editor in Chief
Photos by Dylan Bendit

Whether busting moves on the dance floor or riding a mechanical bull, everyone at Mini-THON came together for one purpose: to raise money and save lives.

Student Council and Key Club hosted ’Stoga’s first Mini-THON on April 1. The proceeds from Mini-THON went to Four Diamonds, an organization that works to fight pediatric cancer. From 6 p.m. to midnight, around 250 students from Conestoga attended the six-hour activity and dance marathon. With free food including Rita’s, Chick-fil-A and Phil’s pizza, as well as a mechanical bull, an inflatable obstacle course, lawn games, a yoga class, several DJs and much more, participants had plenty to keep them entertained throughout the night.

“We had fun, we talked to a lot of new people. We laughed a lot,” said sophomore Maria Acosta. “And we did it for a good cause.”

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Student Council and Key Club came up with the idea of a Mini-THON, inspired by the Penn State’s 46-hour no sitting THON. This year, the organizations spent the past few months fundraising, advertising and planning for the event on Friday.

Mini-THON “has gone amazingly well. People have really encompassed the fact that they are really excited to be here and excited to fundraise for Mini-THON and celebrate after all the work we’ve done with fundraising and to honor the kids who are going through pediatric cancer,” Planning Committee Co-Chair Maddie Detwiler said.

Including other fundraisers such as bake sales and DonorDrive, students raised a total of $12,710.44 for Four Diamonds. Fundraising Committee Co-Chair Morgan McFillin raised the most money out of all the students involved, with a total of $1,425. For McFillin, the most satisfying aspect of the night was the student unity.

“My favorite part was just seeing everyone come together, especially at the end, dancing, listening to all the stories and supporting the cause,” McFillin said.

To promote the fight against pediatric cancer, spokespeople for Ryan’s Cases for Smiles and Cure4Cam came to speak about the experiences of children who fought pediatric cancer and to commend Mini-THON-goers for supporting the cause.

Looking to the future, the Mini-THON organizers hope to expand the event, increase attendance and create a new tradition at Conestoga.

“I really hope that they can keep this as a tradition, and it grows and we can contribute even more to Four Diamonds. It represents a great organization, and we can get more Conestoga unity for it,” Detwiler said.

Michael Hong can be reached at [email protected].