TOWAMENCIN- To say that North Penn High School is a major advocate when it comes to bringing students together to fight for causes they believe in would be an accurate statement. Mini-THON, which was started last year and is run by student Emily Chapman this year, is a night full of entertainment and movement that represents a larger cause of empowering students to help support the fight against childhood cancer while also building leadership skills.

Mini-THONS are organized through Four Diamonds, a group whose focus is to change the harsh reality that is the unfortunate high number of childhood deaths due to cancer. Four Diamonds assists children and their families at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Mini-THONs are student led events that elementary, middle, high school, and college students can participate in, which integrates fun and creativity while also allowing schools to spark change in the battle of triumphing over childhood cancer.

Mini-THONs are an archetype of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) and have been initiating a brighter future for children with cancer and their families for over twenty years. Currently, there are over seventy thousand student volunteers in two hundred and thirty five schools and the number continues to skyrocket. More than $5.5 million was raised by schools for the Four Diamonds Fund in the 2015-2016 school year.

On April 7th, North Penn will be holding their second annual Mini-THON event. Throughout the year, members will participate in various fundraising activities to accumulate money for THON. On the night of the event, anyone who wants to take part can register and spend a night at the high school, dancing through the twelve hours and having a great time while championing an important cause.

“Mini-THON is a night long event, from 6pm to 6am, to celebrate our fundraising efforts and raise awareness for childhood cancer,” said Emily Chapman, a senior who is leading and organizing the event.

Applications for being involved on the committees and leadership teams are due Friday. There are nine committees to be a part of: Entertainment, PR & Social Media, Morale & Spirit, Finance, Sponsors & Hospitality, Special Events, Fundraising, Secretary, and Photographer. The leadership team captains will be decided and announced Wednesday, November 9th after school. For those interested in participating in the event on the night of, information will be released in a couple weeks about registration. Students who get involved will be expected to help raise money, and on April 7th, students will be able to see their hard work come together and also create valuable high school memories with their friends.

“I think it’s a great event for students to get involved in, because it’s not your typical dance or high school event. Yes, it involves dancing and high schoolers but it’s so much more; it’s a feel good event with constant movement, and the twelve hours go by so fast but your time goes to such a worthy cause,” said Chapman.