Waitng with baited breath, students, adults, family and friends watched as senior Bella MacMillan lifted up the number eight, revealing the THON fundraising total: $80,753.80.

Moments after sitting down after 24 hours of standing, students got back onto their feet to jump for joy and dance for life. Cheers filled the decorated gymnasium, which students transformed into a home for more than 350 people during Valentine's Day weekend.

The annual MiniTHON event, directed by Advancement Director Cheryl Fenton, raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund, a foundation devoted to pediatric cancer research. Even after seven years of MiniTHON fundraising and activity here at the Crusader home, the spark for helping young patients has not fizzled.

"The energy at THON was incredible," said first-timer senior Fernanda Culicia. "I really loved spending the event with some of my closest friends."

This year, the Crusaders joined together once again for a 24-hour dance marathon in the hopes of raising more than $80,000 for the kids. Participants passed the time by playing team games, talking with friends and, of course, dancing.

DJ Fly Guy spun tracks for the whole event, not charging a single penny for his seven years of volunteerism. His upbeat tracks kept dancers motivated and awake even during the toughest parts of THON.

"For me, there was a four-hour span of complete exhaustion," said senior Kelsey Simpkins. "I found it hard to stay awake and maintain a positive attitude at times, but with great music, it was hard to not join in and push through the pain."

This year's event set new fundraising records, exceeding the goal of $80,000. Every penny raised will be sent to the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey late in May.