Manheim Township High School Hosts Annual Showcase to Benefit Four Diamonds

Manheim Township High School’s Mini-THON club: fighting childhood cancer with dance moves and laughter. On Sunday, Jan. 18, the Township community gathered in the school’s auditorium for the club’s 15th annual Four Diamonds Showcase, which featured performances by each sports team and the 11 senior boys competing for the title of “Mr. Mini-THON.”

The goal of Mini-THON is to raise money for Four Diamonds, an organization that supports children battling cancer. It is inspired by Penn State University’s yearly THON event—a 46-hour dance marathon—and involves smaller events that mimic the spirit of THON, including Township’s showcase.

Preparation for the showcase started in November 2025 when the Mr. Mini-THON contestants were chosen. The selected contestants were Brady Bergman, Justin Blose, Rory Dolan, Moussa Jamil, Ben Kittleman, Brock Meglic, Connor Minnich, Luke Oles, Luke Reinking, Aiden Salari, and Luke Wagner. Then followed the choreography and coaching process, led by the MTHS Dance Team, during which each of the school’s sports teams, as well as the Live For Lucian club, were taught short, entertaining dances. 

Many of the dances had specific themes. The Girls’ Cross Country team, for example, performed to a medley of songs from High School Musical, and the Track and Field Team’s dance was based on Teen Beach Movie. They were each introduced with playful digs and critiqued by MTHS teachers Kenneth Kantz, Wayne Kantz, and Lance Wagner, who offered teasing commentary that had the audience laughing throughout the entire evening.

In addition to the sports teams, the Mr. Mini-THON candidates performed various routines. These routines, which included a dance to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” by Justin Blose, Luke Oles, and Luke Reinking, a magic act by Brock Meglic and Connor Minnich, and a rendition of “Let It Go” by Ben Kittleman and Luke Wagner, were completed by costumes and—in the case of the “Single Ladies” performers—comical makeup looks. They were hilarious to say the least and demonstrated the boys’ dedication to Mini-THON’s cause.

“I think that’s the most fulfilling part of it, to see how passionate they are about this cause, and then, because of that passion, how much they’re working for Four Diamonds,” Mini-THON advisor and MTHS teacher Shawn Robbins said.

The best team performance, decided by the judges, was the Bowling Team’s dramatic dance that featured Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.” This was the Bowling Team’s first time as part of the showcase, and they were ecstatic to be taking home the (inflatable) trophy. The prize for the best of the Mr. Mini-THON acts went to Luke Reinking, Justin Blose, and Luke Oles for their “Single Ladies” dance.

The showcase closed with the announcement of the teams and individuals who raised the most money for Four Diamonds. Prior to that night, DonorDrives were set up by each team and Mr. Mini-THON contestant, as well as several students not performing, and people were encouraged to donate to them. The Dance Team won first out of the sports teams with $3,440 raised, followed by the Swim and Dive team and the Field Hockey team. Brady Bergman took first place among the Mr. Mini-THON boys, having raised $2,013, with Luke Wagner and Luke Oles taking second and third place, respectively. The total amount raised from the showcase was $30,111.54.

Aside from benefiting a good cause, the Four Diamonds Showcase brings the Manheim Township community together. The auditorium was nearly full of students excited to watch their peers perform, and leading up to that evening, the Mr. Mini-THON boys visited lunches and classes, asking for donations, which added to the fun. Throughout the experience, students were given the opportunity to form new relationships and try things they might not have tried otherwise.

“I felt as if I got a lot closer to the Mini-THON boys as a result,” Mr. Mini-THON candidate Aiden Salari said. 

Salari also shared what the club and its events mean to him. “[Cancer] can take away someone’s ability to function and live a normal life,” he explained. “For a kid to have to go through that is an unimaginable nightmare. Raising money for Mini-THON means we can break the cycle for good someday.”

Township’s Mini-THON hosts other events throughout the year, including the main event on Feb. 27 and the Powder Puff flag football game in April. If you are interested in joining the fight against childhood cancer, consider attending one of those events or making a monetary donation through the Four Diamonds website.