Whitehall High School students had the opportunity to raise money to fight pediatric cancer and spend an afternoon celebrating their achievement recently - a win-win for everyone involved.

On May 20, students who had a minimum commitment/pledge of $35 could participate in the school’s Mini-THON. Organized by Student Council, Mini-THON is a smaller version of the THON event, initially started at Penn State University as a marathon where students collect donations or pledges to support pediatric cancer research. Fundraising events are planned throughout the school year, which culminates with a 12-hour dance marathon. Students gather at this event to dance and stay on their feet for a designated period of time.

This year’s WHS marathon was planned to be seven hours instead of the traditional 12.

Student Council co-advisers Carolyn Radon and Michelle Le said WHS students follow the Four Diamonds program established at Penn State. Mini-THON is a Four Diamonds program coordinated by students in high schools across Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

The Four Diamond Fund was created 41 years ago when a boy named Christopher Millard wrote a story about a knight who had to collect four diamonds - courage, honesty, wisdom and strength - in order to defeat an evil sorceress. The story is a metaphor for Chris’ battle with pediatric cancer, and the fund was created in his honor.

THON aims to provide both emotional and financial support for families supported by Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital by facilitating lifelong relationships between families and volunteers and supporting research efforts.

WHS has been involved for at least 10 years. For the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was not held in person.

“This is like an indoor field day. We have a bouncy house, Ping-Pong, foosball, face painting, dancing and different hourly challenges, such as a tug of war. They just have to stay on their feet,” Radon said.

“We also have food and beverages for all participants,” Le added.

From various fundraisers throughout Whitehall-Coplay School District, a total of $20,418.82 was raised to fight pediatric cancer.