Why did you want to become a director for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world?

THON™ has always provided a home for me at Penn State. As a first year student, I joined a committee without any knowledge of what to expect. What I ended up finding was a community of people who were all incredibly passionate about the same cause for a variety of reasons. As I continued on my THON journey through my experiences as a captain, I was greeted with such excitement to make this organization stronger each day. No matter how great the challenge, our student volunteers come together to find the perfect solution to ensure that our Four Diamond Families get the support they need. I am endlessly inspired by every family and student volunteer, and I want to ensure that every member of the THON Community gets to feel like THON is a home to them as well. The passion of each volunteer inspired me to want to do more for this organization and give back to the home I found here in THON.

What are your main responsibilities as a Director for THON 2023?

As Fundraising Safety Director, my main responsibility is ensuring the integrity and safety of all of our volunteers’ fundraising efforts. Through administering the THON 2023 Rulebook, I work towards giving all student volunteers a safe and positive THON experience. I oversee a team of captains who specialize in ensuring all of our student organizations have access to the resources and materials they need to fundraise effectively. We also facilitate the use of DonorDrive, the sole online giving platform for our organization. When THON events such as the THON 5K Presented by PNC, Family Carnival, and THON Weekend occur, we work alongside our Event Safety Committee to ensure the physical safety of all attendees.

What is your favorite THON memory?

During my first THON Weekend as a first year student, my fellow committee members and I were working a quiet shift in the early morning in the BJC. We were nearing the end of our shift and were getting tired and a bit antsy. Suddenly, our captain turned the corner on the way to her sleep shift. She was exhausted after working hard all weekend long, but came and took the time to hug each and every one of us and remind us that she was proud of us. This moment reminded me of the passion and dedication every single student volunteer has for this organization. To this day, that memory is my driving force in this organization to ensure that every member of the THON Community feels valued and appreciated.

As a director, what are you most looking forward to for THON 2023?

I cannot wait to see how we as an organization continue to use what we have learned over the past few years to provide the most impactful support to our families as we can. The THON Community always amazes me in its ability to learn and grow from the challenges we have faced, and I am looking forward to see what we are capable of accomplishing in the upcoming year.

Favorite Quote?

“I don’t know who we’ll become in the days ahead, she said. I only know the quiet voice in my heart that says well become it together” - Brian Andrea

Are you involved in other organizations that benefit THON?

N/A

What are you involved in outside of THON?

N/A

What are your plans after graduation from Penn State?

Tough question - I can’t decide! We will have to see where life takes me.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would love to be a bear. They get a very nice combination of adventure during the summer and relaxation when they hibernate. Seems like the perfect combination to me!

Is a hotdog a sandwich? Explain your reasoning.

A hotdog is most certainly not a sandwich. A sandwich implies that two pieces of bread are involved - a hotdog bun is a singular, connected piece of bread.