Penn State Scranton will have four dancers at THON 2025 and they are, from left: John Evans, Matthew Reyes, Paige Geisler and Gavan Quimby. The group was officially announced Thursday, Feb. 13, at a Silent Disco event held on campus as a fundraiser for THON.
DUNMORE, Pa. — Four Penn State Scranton students have been selected to participate in the annual 46-hour THON dance marathon taking place Feb. 21 through Feb. 23 at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center in University Park. John Evans, Paige Geisler, Matthew Reyes and Gavan Quimby were officially announced as this year’s THON dancers at a Silent Disco event hosted by the Student Government Association in collaboration with THON.
THON is a childhood cancer nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and families fight the battle by raising funds and awareness, providing comprehensive support, and funding innovative research. It is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. THON Weekend will see these dedicated students from Penn State Scranton join thousands of others in a non-stop dance marathon aimed at raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer. Each dancer has a personal connection to the cause, bringing their own unique motivations and stories to this incredible journey.
John Evans
Evans, a fourth-year nursing major, said he is most looking forward to the people he is going to meet and the families they will be helping. Staying awake and standing for almost three days is no easy feat, and Evans said he has been altering his daily routine to help him prepare for what’s to come during THON weekend. “I cut out caffeine and have been hitting leg day at the gym a lot more,” he said.
Evans mentioned growing up with a brother who was premature, which enhanced his reason for dancing at THON, as he has seen firsthand how difficult it is for families who have to take care of their child in a hospital. “Being a student nurse and also a dancer at THON has a lot of similarities,” Evans said. “Both involve caring about people and trying to fix something that may have gone wrong — you want to make people happy and bring them joy during times that seem tough.”
Paige Geisler
Geisler, a first-year mechanical engineering student, said Penn State was her first choice in deciding where to attend college because of THON. Now, being chosen as one of the campus' four dancers for this year’s THON Weekend, the anticipation of arriving at the Bryce Jordan Center is starting to set in.
“To me, THON means community. I came to Penn State for THON. I knew about the club before I came here, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. It’s an amazing cause and I love being a part of it,” she said.
Matthew Reyes
Reyes, a fourth-year corporate communication student, said he is most looking forward to spending time on the BJC floor with all the other dancers during this year's THON. “I think it’s just going to be an amazing experience to see all of the hard work that was put in all year long, see all the children and the families we have helped, and just seeing everything we all accomplished as one,” he said.
To Reyes, THON means “everything” to him, he said. “From the moment I joined THON three years ago up until now, I slowly worked my way all the way to primary chair this year and now having the chance to being a dancer. Everything we do is to support the children, especially our THON child, Arelis — we want to help support them financially and emotionally. It’s just the best feeling in the world to know these children and families have us supporting them,” he said.
Gavan Quimby
Third-year IT cybersecurity major and Student Government Association President Gavan Quimby said he is also grateful to be dancing at THON this year. “Looking back and getting to meet our [campus] THON dancers from previous years, I am grateful to them for paving the way and inspiring me to be a dancer this year,” he said.
Attending THON Weekend is one thing, but dancing in it is another. Quimby said he is looking forward to taking this journey “one step further.” Quimby gives thanks to campus CAPS Counselor Sarah Smith, Campus Nurse Jill Thoman and the campus’ Athletics Department for helping him mentally and physically prepare for what’s to come in just a few more weeks.
How to help
This year’s THON dancers all share one thing in common outside of dancing for a cure — they all need help from the community.
In addition to Evans, Geisler, Reyes and Quimby, anyone can help save the lives of children battling cancer by supporting THON. Donate to Penn State Scranton’s THON Donor Drive to make a difference in the life of a child today.
Penn State’s THON raises millions annually for Four Diamonds to support pediatric cancer research and aid affected families. More than 16,500 student volunteers dedicate an average of 15 hours weekly to yearlong efforts, culminating in a 46-hour dance marathon each spring. Since 1977, THON has raised over $200 million.
