Meet Penn State Harrisburg’s 2026 THON dancers

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Three Penn State Harrisburg students will represent the campus as dancers at THON Weekend 2026, the annual student-run dance marathon held to support children and families impacted by childhood cancer.

The event is the culmination of fundraising efforts to benefit Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This year's event will take place Feb. 20-22 at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University Park.

THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, with more than 16,500 Penn State student volunteers who aim to provide emotional and financial support to Four Diamonds families, as well as to spread THON's mission and raise awareness about childhood cancer.

This year, Penn State Harrisburg Benefiting THON selected three students to represent the Harrisburg campus as dancers during the 46-hour dance marathon. They are:

Braylee Klinger

Klinger is studying biomedical engineering and serves as president of Penn State Harrisburg Benefiting THON. She is public relations chair of Lion Ambassadors, a Chancellors Leadership Access Student Program (CLASP) member and a member of the Capital Players Theatre Club.

Klinger said THON is important to her because of the impact it creates, noting that THON funds critical research that helps create innovative treatments and cures for childhood cancer patients. She added that THON provides a community of social and emotional support for families throughout their journey.

"Connecting with Four Diamonds families has shown me how much THON fundraising relieves the financial burden that comes with a childhood cancer diagnosis," she said.

She said she wanted to become a dancer this year after attending THON with Penn State Harrisburg last year, describing it as the best part of her first year.

"Seeing thousands of students from different backgrounds come together during THON Weekend, united for one cause, is truly unlike anything else," she said.

Emily Kiefer

Kiefer is a biobehavioral health major and serves as vice president of Penn State Harrisburg Benefiting THON. She is vice president of Lion Ambassadors and vice president of the campus chapter of MEDLIFE, a nonprofit organization that engages university students in global health service and outreach. She is also a teaching assistant and is involved in research on substance and tobacco use.

"THON and Four Diamonds have positively impacted people I love in several ways, so I wanted to take on a larger role in our organization and dance to give back to such an incredible cause," she said.

Kiefer is interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, potentially in oncology, and said she appreciates that THON gives Penn State students the opportunity to get involved in helping children and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

She said she is looking forward to having family, friends and members of the organization visit during THON weekend and celebrating fundraising efforts together.

Juan Serrano

Serrano is a kinesiology major pursuing a career in physical therapy. He has been involved with the Latino Club as a member of the executive board, the Caribbean Student Association, and the dance team for the African Student Association.

He is a member of the Kinesiology Club and works as a tutor in the Russell E. Horn Sr. Learning Center. He is also an intern in the Center for Fitness and Wellness and works in the Office of Student Engagement and as a campus tour guide.

He said he wanted to dance because "all the kids deserve to have a childhood carefree and pain-free."

"Every kid deserves to be healthy and independent enough to decide what they want to do in life and who they want to become, without a disease holding them back," he said.