by Caitlin Hanley

Madison McCahan is one of four THON dancers for the Penn State Cheerleading Team this year. She is from Breezewood, Pennsylvania and is a senior here at Penn State. Madison comes from a family of Penn State alumni, so the passion for THON has been instilled in her ever since she was young. Throughout her four years at Penn State, Madison has been involved with THON as a committee member and as a THON chair for her team. She said she has known she wanted to be a dancer ever since she stood in the Bryce Jordan Center at her first THON as a Penn State student. Madison said her favorite aspects of THON weekend are the human tunnel and the stand up at the beginning of the 46 hours. She said she feels that in these moments, the atmosphere is magical and it is a reminder of all the support the Penn State community has to offer. Something that furthered her love for THON was when the cheerleading team got paired with the Evans family. Madison said, “When we were paired with the Evans family, I knew this is exactly something I wanted to do.” Now, Aubrey Evans is cancer free and Madison is currently dancing for her and for our recently paired THON child, Emma Munger. Madison has been inspired by her team’s THON families and the THON community as a whole to make a difference in the world. Through THON, she discovered her passion for helping people, especially kids, and now works for Make-A-Wish. Good luck this weekend Madison, thank you for everything you do for the Penn State Cheerleading Team, for the THON community, and For The Kids!