IHS MINI THON CHECK-IN

Indiana Area Senior High School

By MADELINE SHIRLEY

This year IHS is gearing up for the return of an in-person Mini THON. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, 2020’s Mini THON was canceled and 2021’s Mini THON was held online. This year Mini THON is being held in person on March 24, 2022. To register there is a website (IHS Mini THON) and the cost is $15 for the early bird sign-up.

The sign-up dates are Early Early bird – January 10th and 11th ($10), Early bird – January 12th through February 1st ($15), regular bird – February 5th through March 1st ($15), and late bird – March 2nd through March 24th ($20).

The four team colors for IHS Mini THON are Blue, Green, Pink, and Purple. The team captions for each team can be found on the IHS leadership Instagram account @ihsleadership or the new Mini THON website that holds all information about Mini thon.

What is IHS mini thon? “IHS Mini-THON is organized by IHS Leadership Seminar and is inspired by Penn State’s annual THON, a 46 hour dance marathon that benefits The Four Diamonds Fund, a charity that directly supports families of children with pediatric cancer.” IHS Mini Thon website @ihsminithon.org

When you sign up, a diamond shape piece of paper is then put on your locker. Whatever color the piece of paper is, is the color of the team you are on.

“Mini-THON is an annual event that is hosted by IHS Leadership. It is a smaller version of Penn State’s THON where they stand for 46 hours. We begin planning in November and work endlessly until the day of to create the best event possible. The money that we raise goes to the Four Diamond Foundation. This organization was founded in Hershey PA and its main goal is to help families with any emotional or monetary support post-cancer diagnosis. They help pay for therapies, treatments, events, as well as cancer research.” Senior Margaret Lowery states.

There are many different captains for each team. Lowery is a team captain for the Pink team and feels her team is a very strong team, “I am a captain of the Pink team and I personally think that our team is really strong. Each person in the Leadership Seminar is a team captain so I think that all of the teams are very strong; there is not one team that is stronger than the others. We are so excited to see how many people are signed up for Mini-THON even though they have never seen it in person.”

Senior Anna Margita is a team captain for the Green team and is most excited for the reveal of how much money was made to help those who are diagnosed with cancer, “I am most excited to reveal the total at the end of the night. I can’t wait to see the end result of how hard we worked to help those who are diagnosed with cancer. It will be emotional, but very rewarding.” Along with Lowery and Senior Isaac Myers who is also most excited to see how much everyone raised, “I am most excited to see the total at the end of the night. We (Leadership Seminar) have already worked so hard on this event so seeing how much we raise will make it all worth it.”

Senior Isaac Myers is a captain for the Purple team and is also most excited for the revel of the money, “The part of Mini-THON I am most excited for is the reveal of the total amount of money raised for children with pediatric cancer. No matter what the amount is, the school and the Indiana community worked their hardest to raise money. After seeing the number, everyone should be proud of themselves.”

Senor Alex Holuta is a team captain for the Blue team and is definitely most excited to just have the event back in place, “I am most excited to have everybody back together again. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an event like this and I’m super excited for it.”

IHS is working hard to make this event a memorable experience for all students who attend. But why should you attend mini THON? “I think everyone should sign up for MiniTHON because the event is so rewarding to see what you as a school have raised and put together for the kids who are fighting for their lives. Celebrating and dancing all night shows that we are supporting them. Signing up is showing that you are FOR THE KIDS.” Margita says along with Lowery, “People should sign up for Mini-THON because not only are you supporting an amazing cause but it is an easy way to show school spirit, hang out with your friends and enjoy various activities. During the night, there is never a moment where nothing is going on. There are always things to do so you won’t even notice that you have been standing for 6 ish hours.”

Isaac Myers thinks you attend Mini THON because it is the best even IHS host, “People should sign up for Mini-THON because it’s the best night of the year and the best event the high school hosts. Mini-THON is something that teachers and students look forward to every year. This is because there’s tons of food, games, activities, and it’s just a great night to hang out with your friends. Believe me, when I say, you are missing out if you don’t sign up for Mini-THON.”

If you’re thinking about signing up for mini THON go onto the Mini THON website and do it!

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