Students at Penn State were participating in the THON dance marathon this weekend.

On Friday, students at Pleasant Valley held their own version.During mini-THON at Pleasant Valley elementary and middle schools, students and staff from both schools danced all day, played games and participated in various events staged throughout their buildings in an effort to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancers.At 2 p.m. the students at the middle school gathered in the gymnasium for the big reveal. The students and staff raised $13,518.88. Earlier in the day it was announced that the elementary students and staff had raised $16,647.78.THON came to Pleasant Valley when elementary Principal Erica Greer, a Penn State alumna, suggested that the schools become part of the growing THON program out of Penn State."Mini-THON is an event which raises money for the Four Diamonds fund to aid families with children who are dealing with pediatric cancer and support finding a cure," Greer said."Four Diamonds Mini-THONs are fun-filled events for students of all ages which inspire teamwork, leadership and creativity while empowering young people through philanthropy and service in the fight to conquer childhood cancer," Greer said.Middle school Principal Rocco Seiler said, "Our theme is that we can all be a superhero."To me it is important to teach the kids empathy and that it is not always about them. When they see that what they do here makes a positive impact on families and children elsewhere, then they realize that they can be the superhero in someone else's life."At the middle school the staff put together a short video which gave the students some information on childhood cancers and what the money they raise will be used for. In addition, the students got to hear directly from high school student, Brody Keefe, who is battling leukemia.Seiler said Keefe is an inspiration to his classmates and to students and staff throughout the district."Today has exceeded our expectations," said middle school literacy coach Kasey Whiteford. "It is wonderful to see these kids embracing the fact that their actions will have a positive impact on other children. Yesterday when I was in the lunch room kids were coming up to me and giving me the change from their lunch money so that we could raise our total. I was so proud of how generous they are."The THON at the middle school concluded with the reading of three essays written by current students explaining who their superhero was. The students whose essays were read were seventh-graders Kyli Ramsey and Schyler Herman and eighth-grader Isaiah Baptiste. Ninth-grader Destiny Torres also read an essay she wrote for the Relay for Life last year.After the total amount raised was revealed, the entire school, including Seiler, broke out into the "Whip/Nae Nae" dance.