Thursday in Pictures

Wednesday in Pictures

WEPO 2012 teaser pictures!

Here are a few pictures of the fun things that await the WEPOteers and leadership team!

Keys to Decorating

Hey WEPO girls! My name is Sam Alexander. I am a sophomore in Chemical Engineering and I will be a Rover in WEPO 2012!!

I’m sure you guys have a picture in mind when you think of dorm rooms, small, cramped, and all the same. And when you first walk into your dorm at Penn State, that’s exactly how it’ll look. You’ll see two beds, two desks, either two closets or two sets of drawers, a refrigerator, and a microwave…and that’s pretty much it. I know when I first arrived, I panicked thinking how am I going to get all my stuff in here, but don’t worry you’ll find space for everything! Decorating and keeping organized are key to making your dorm feel like a home.

Pictures: I’m definitely a picture fanatic! I love having all different kinds of pictures displayed, it reminds me of home and all my friends that don’t go to Penn State. You can’t really see, but I used command hooks to hang all the frames and the cork board collage. I know Housing allows scotch tape and sticky tack, but the command hooks worked great and didn’t take off any paint! I got the cute idea of the bows and ribbon off of Google, it was definitely a fun project my first weekend! 

Posters:  Posters are another great idea for decorations!  The HUB-Robinson Center always has a great poster sale in the beginning of the fall semester! They’ll have tons of flyers reminding you when the sale is going on, but that’s a great way of filling the blank walls of the dorm room. I got my posters on allposters.com, they have a really nice selection too!

Other homing touches: I love flowers, so they were a cute, cheap way to brighten up the room, plus they were Penn State colors! I also had some miscellaneous items, like a duck my cousin painted or a cute air freshener container. My neighbor always made me something for seasonal changes as well! I’m now the proud owner of an ADORABLE Penn State Christmas tree! 

Be creative: Personal touches are what is going to make your space feel like a home, don’t be afraid to try something unconventional!

~Lastly, one great thing about decorating your space to your liking is that it’ll give you and your new friends something to talk about! Plus, you can easily change your decorations throughout the year, maybe put some new pictures up from the football games, or from a late night study session!

I hope this gives you some great ideas and gets you excited for Penn State! I can’t wait to meet you all at WEPO 2012, it’s right around the corner! Have a good rest of the summer and we’ll see you soon!

Sam Alexander is a sophomore in Chemical Engineering. She is a Rover for WEPO 2012.

**Additional tips on an old blog by Erin Miller: http://pennstatewepo.blogspot.com/2011/06/guide-to-decorating-your-dorm-room.html

Five steps to a successful first week

Start out on the Right Foot:

Five steps to a successful first week

5. Map out classes and route times- No one wants to get lost trying to find their class and stumble in 15 minutes late on their first day. The Saturday or Sunday before classes begin, scope out where your classes are. Take a map and feel free to meander around the campus learning the quickest routes and even the location of the room inside the building. (I’ve gotten lost in Williard and so many other buildings that I would have to backtrack and start over!) Invite your Roommate or the girls who live in the dorm next to you. Not only is it a great way to meet new friends but they will likely have classes in different buildings which allows you to familiarize yourself to campus even more!

4. Keep your door open- Your RA’s will probably talk to you about “Open Door Policy” and you might want to just shove it aside, but don’t! It really works! People will walk by and they might see a poster or something in your room and stop to talk to you about. It’s a great way just to learn about your floor mates and become more comfortable in your dorm. Feel free to return the favor and strike up a conversation if someone has their door open, I mean, they left it open for a reason!

3. Go out of your comfort zone- Every college freshman coming into school barely knows anyone. You’re in the same boat, everyone in that first week just wants a friendly face, to know they aren’t on their own. So, the more outgoing you are, the more people will open up to you. You’re in college now! Do something bold to make friends that you wouldn’t normally do! Towards the end of my first week of freshman year, I was sitting in my friend’s dorm next door to mine. We decided we didn’t have enough guy friends so we grabbed post it notes and ran up to the boys floor above us. We went around sticking post it notes telling the guys to come visit us and get to know us. Some boys happened to be watching us do this and struck up a conversation. Now we are all so close, we go on vacations together during the summer.

2. Plan out a basic daily schedule and goals- I’m a planner. I write literally every moment of my day down in a daily planner but what I love to do at the beginning of each semester is make up a rough daily schedule. You can do it on Microsoft Excel or just with a piece of paper and a pen. I go through hour by hour of the day. I set a goal to wake up by a time, pencil in my classes, color code possible times I could fit in a workout, take time to relax or buckle down and study. (Did I mention I was a planner?) I also go through my goals for the semester and add them in at the bottom. Then I print it out and post it right next to my mirror or on my closet door, somewhere I can’t miss it so I can keep it in my mind. The quicker you get into a routine, the quicker you can adjust to the life and differences of college.

1. Create a home away from home- Bring comfort items from home. It could be stuffed animals, pictures, yearbooks, blankets, anything! (Thanks to Toy Story 3, I had to bring all of my stuffed animals because I thought one of them would feel left out if I didn’t bring them…) Anyway, I filled my room of pictures of my family and friends from home. Every time I got a card from my family I put it up on the wall to read when I was discouraged or down. I made my dorm room into a little bubble of home. Everyone gets lonely in that first week, but it’s nice to know with these items that you’re really not that far from a home. As time wore on, I brought less and less comfort items from home and filled my room with more pictures and notes from college, but that only comes with time. Although, after Christmas break, you’ll be surprised to learn how quickly Penn State becomes a part of you!

So remember- Be yourself and be outgoing. Keep home close to your heart but try new things and your heart will grow to fit in your new home away from home.

See you at WEPO

Maggie Golden is a junior in Architectural Engineering. This summer Maggie worked for Brinjac Engineering in Harrisburg, PA. She is a mentor for WEPO 12.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Yep, That’s Normal.

It’s less than two weeks before move-in and you have stuff everywhere!  Informational packets from Penn State, a growing pile of items that you don’t want to forget for your dorm, and of course getting ready for WEPO.  It may seem overwhelming, but that’s ok.  I’d like to say that things settle down once classes start, but not really.  Being busy is part of college life. However, you don’t have to let your schedule and to-do list rule your college experience.  Here are some tips on how to minimize stress to have a great freshman year.

1. Get a planner and use it!  You may have a perfect memory, but everyone makes mistakes. If that mistake is missing the homework submission deadline or forgetting to wake up for an exam, it could impact your grades.  Writing appointments and assignments down helps you keep things from falling through the cracks.  (Sticky notes and reminders work well too!) I have a friend that uses her iPad for keeping track of appointments and assignments. Whatever works for you, do it!
2. Stay on top of deadlines.  Knowing when projects are due helps you budget your time better and eliminates the all-nighter before the project is due.  You’ll find that you do have time for that late-night run to the Creamery.
3. Take time for yourself!   When you’re starting to stress out, take a short break.  Go for a run, get out of your room, grab a snack, or go hang out with friends.  Your brain will have a chance to refresh so that you can focus and be more productive when you get back to work.

Finally, the most important thing to remember is: YOU’RE NOT ALONE!  Everyone else is in the same boat!  Your mentors and rovers are here to help you with all of your pre-move in worries and nerves so feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.  We are also great resources throughout the semester so don’t forget to keep in touch!

So don’t stress out! Take a deep breath and relax.  You’re about to start some of the best years of your life!  

Christine Hildenbrand is a junior in Mechanical Engineering. This summer she is working for ConocoPhilips in NJ. Christine is a mentor for WEPO 2012.

Get Rid of First Day Jitters- Know Your Way Around Campus

Hey Girls!!  My name is Kenna Markel.  I am majoring in Architectural Engineering, and I’m a Rover for Team G!!

Penn State University Park, as many of you already know, is comprised of around 40,000 students.  Being a part of a big campus is one of the many things I love about Penn State, but coming here in the fall may seem intimidating- at least if was for me.   With such a large campus, I was worried about getting lost, being late to class, and feeling safe, but I, like all of your other mentors and rovers, survived my first year and so will you!  I found that there are three basics for getting around campus:  be confident, be CATA smart, and be safe.

Be Confident

One of the many advantages that WEPO gives you is the chance to move in early.  Not only do you avoid the rush, but it also gives you a few days before classes start to get used to campus.  Something that my roommate and I did during one of these days was to walk through our schedule.  Your first day of classes is all new: new students, new professors, new teaching styles, and new subjects so why not make the campus seem a little bit more familiar- make it one less “new” thing.  Not only will this make you feel more confident on your first day of classes, but it is also an easy way to bond with your roommate.  Also, do not be afraid to ask for help.  College is by no means like high school; people will help you around.  University Park is a huge campus, nobody, not even the seniors know where every building is. 

Be CATA Smart

If you have been keeping up with the WEPO blog, the CATA bus system is something that Megan gave great advice on so I’ll just talk about it briefly!  This past year like most freshman, I lived in East and yes, it is far from a lot of classes- so use the CATA buses!  I’m not over exaggerating when I say they can shorten your travel time by up to twenty minutes.  So yes, I would definitely recommend using them!  Two things that I would remember about the CATA buses are 1) only get on the front entrance (if you get on the back, the bus driver will see you and will make you get off- super embarrassing) 2) the buses don’t run all hours off the day, so don’t get stuck having to walk back alone at night (that’s obviously a safety issue, not to mention PSU gets really cold in the winter).  Like Megan said, I would advise getting the CATA bus app if you can! 

Be Safe

I want to begin this topic with saying- I have never once felt unsafe on campus, but without trying to sound too much like your parents, it’s true you can never be too cautious.  Be smart by just sticking to the basics that I’m sure we’ve all been told for years.  When coming home at night, stay on well lit, often used paths and try to avoid walking home alone.  One tip, that my roommate and I used when walking home alone was unavoidable, was we would give a time that we planned on being back in the room, and if we were not back by that time, we would check up on each other.  All of this I’m sure sounds so simple even monotonous, but that’s just it.  Taking these steps isn’t hard so for your own safety why not just take them.

Ultimately, I just want you girls to be excited not nervous to come to PSU because it’s the best place to be.  I loved my first summer back, but I miss being at school because it became my home.  Penn State really is a family, a family that you are already a part of.  So don’t be afraid.  Penn State will give you more that just internationally recognized education, but it will shape you with every experience you have there.  So that one day- a day that seems so far away- you will graduate into the world, and through your example, prove what makes Penn State so great.

Kenna Markel is a sophomore in Architectural Engineering. She is a rover for WEPO 2012.

 

What to Pack for College!

Hi! My name is Erin Miller and this is my 4th WEPO!! I have been a participant, Rover, Mentor, and this year I am the Success Strategies Lead! The best part of my summer so far has been helping my sister get ready for her first year at Shippensburg University! Even though she didn't pick Penn State, I've still been able to help her with a couple of key items that are dorm room must haves.

Clothes-comfy, dressy, professional, for warm weather and cold weather (hats, gloves & scarves)

Shoes - RAIN BOOTS!, flip flops, sneakers, dress shoes, snow boots

Jackets - winter, fall, rain

Pillows

Blankets

Space bags/Under the bed boxes - have you seen the infomercial for those backs that you vacuum the air out of? They work! Not for as long as they say they do in the commercial but long enough to transport your stuff. Pillows, blankets and sweaters take up a lot of room, but using these bags help reduce that amount of room!

Sheets – the typical dorm room beds are XL Twins. (I love the jersey sheet sets from Target)

Bed Risers

Room Decorations - Posters, pictures, string lights, streamers, sticky tack, thumb tack, masking tape/duct tape (come on you need this, you’re an engineer now!)/electrical tape [Command Strips work great because they always work and they don’t damage the walls - which could cost money!]

Rug - may want to talk with your roommate but this is nice for right under your bed

Towels

Robe

Shower Shoes - those $1 old navy flip flops are awesome for this

Shower Caddy

Shower Supplies – Shampoo, soap, facewash, make-up, etc.

Medicine/First aid Supplies – Band-Aids, Neosporin, thermometer, Advil

Laundry Basket

Fan – Walmart has awesome window box fans for like $15, for the summer heat these are perfect

Alarm Clock

Lamp – for your desk or next to your bed

Brita – I have a 6 cup size and it fits pretty comfortably in the dorm refrigerators

Computer & all necessary cords

Ethernet Cord - the longer the better, it’s better to have too long than not long enough

Printer - may not be necessary but it can be useful

Printer paper - you are given 100 sheets per semester to print on in the computer labs, USE DOUBLE SIDED it helps make it last longer

Extra ink: it’s always good to have an extra set, because you never know when you’ll run low at 2 am the night before a project is due.  I found that the ink at the Penn State Computer Store (in the HUB) is cheaper than at the HUB Bookstore. There is also a place downtown to fill up your old cartridges. 

Dishes – you don’t need a whole set just 1-2 of each (for you and a friend)

Bowls

Plates

Cups

Silverware

Mugs

Water bottle 

Cleaning supplies!

Clorox wipes

Swiffers (Swiffer WetJet = Lifesaver)

Dish Soap

Sponges/dish things to clean

Laundry detergent/bleach/dryer sheets

Your calculator (or 2) - Most chemistry and economics classes will require a non-programmable scientific calculator, but I’d also bring your favorite.  You are an engineer, of course.  We have stereotypes to uphold!

Things you should get when you move in, it will help save space in the car!

Food

Case of water/drinks

School supplies** After WEPO, you will be given a card for the Student Book Store for 10% off books and 20% off anything else for a few days.  This is a HUGE benefit!  Books can cost upwards of $300 for the semester, so saving $30 just paid for that fancy new sweatshirt!

Pen, pencils, highlighters, white out, markers, permanent markers

Binders, Folders, Notebooks, Loose Leaf, Printer Paper, Dividers, Academic planner

Post its, thumb tacks, sticky tak, tape - covered above!

Dry erase board for your door, dry erase calendar, dry erase markers

Textbooks** again you have this AWESOME coupon for this and you do not have to buy all of your books before you begin class. Your teacher will tell you how much you’re going to use your book so you can determine if you should make that investment.

Things to talk over with your roomie (split up the load!)

TV

Rug

DVD player

Video game systems

Vacuum cleaner (you can borrow one from the commons but it isn’t always available, it is just convenient if you want to bring your own)

Floor Length Mirror

Erin Miller is a senior in Architectural Engineering. This summer Erin studied abroad in Rome, Italy. She is the Success Strategies Lead for WEPO 2012.

Home Away from Home: Packer Hall

Hello Ladies!  My name is Samantha “Sam” Burt.  I am a sophomore in Civil Engineering and I will be a Rover for WEPO 2012!

I remember talking with my mother about where I was going to live my freshman year and I knew that I wanted to branch out and not live with just engineering students.  I requested random housing and was placed in Packer Hall.  I must admit that I was nervous, but I was so excited to meet new people and see what all Penn State had to offer.   

The first week of school is definitely the most exciting! Everyone in the dorms leave their doors open and there are plenty of opportunities to meet girls on your floor.  It is so nice to see where everyone is from and to see the majors that they are interested in.  For instance, my best friend from the floor is from New York and is a Political Science major.  

When classes began it was soon evident that many of the other girls from the floor were not in the same classes as me and some of them had a lot more free time.  However, this had never discouraged me from forming relationships with the people around me.  We would go to dinner together or we would just sit around and talk about our days.  I loved my building but as it turns out I secretly had a second home on campus.

Many of my best friends lived in Pennypacker Hall (home of the Special Living Option: Freshmen in Science and Engineering Building (FISE)) and I soon became a frequent visitor.  We are all engineering students and so we were in many of the same classes together.    I spent most evenings in Pennypacker, studying and doing homework with friends.  I spent so much time on the fifth floor of Pennypacker that many of the other residents began to recognize me and we were on a first name basis.  One guy in the elevator even told me that I needed to add some “Penny to my Packer.”

I began to wonder if I should have applied for FISE, but then I realized that I probably would have never met my other amazing friends had I not been placed in Packer Hall.  Dorm life is exciting and scary all at the same time, but there is no need to worry!  Your experience is what you make of it! So keep an open mind and I know that you will have an amazing year!  See you soon!

Sam is a sophomore in Civil Engineering. She is a rover for WEPO 2012.

“Forever True to You, Dear Old White and Blue”

Hello WEPO girls!

My name is Alison Lee and I am a junior in Bioengineering. At Penn State I am involved in a variety of extracurricular activities including Club Gymnastics, THON, and SWE. One of my favorite events that I am heavily involved in is Penn State Homecoming!

In high school I was involved with my school’s homecoming mostly through cheerleading and the clubs I was involved with, so when I came to Penn State that was one of the first things that I was interested in. I originally became involved with homecoming through SWE and I quickly realized that Homecoming at Penn State was something amazing.

The first thing that I realized was that it was not something that only people in clubs or Greek life could enjoy. Everyone and anyone can get involved with Homecoming, even if it is just to enjoy the different activities such as the parade, the carnival, or the game.

Another thing that I realized was the amount of Penn State pride that was emanating through the entire university during Homecoming week. So many people take part in the various events that occur all throughout homecoming week and it was awesome to see everyone rally behind the common love for their school.

Not only was the current students pride evident, but the pride that was clearly shown through the alumni was truly empowering. From alumni who had graduated the previous year to those who had graduated 50 years prior, they all showed their Penn State Pride loud and proud. It was so moving, within my first month of school, seeing how many people loved Penn State.

The next year I knew that I wanted to get more involved and that was when I applied to be a Homecoming captain. I am currently one of the Points Captain for the Competition committee, meaning that I am involved with the competition aspect between the different clubs and fraternities and sororities throughout the course of homecoming. Being a homecoming captain has thus far been the most rewarding experience that I have had at Penn State. I have learned just how much effort goes into having a successful and enjoyable homecoming for the students and alumni alike. I have learned useful life skills such as how to manage my time most efficiently, how to interact with angry people, and how to keep massive amounts of data organized.

There are so many clubs that are involved with homecoming that it is super easy to get involved. SWE and AWIS both participate in the competition aspect of homecoming. Almost every sorority on campus does homecoming. Groups such as Lion Ambassadors and the Blue and White Society participate. Dance groups such as Vole, Tapestry, and Orchesis all participate. Many club sports walk in the parade as well as many cultural groups. Everyone can participate and attend the parade, the game, the carnival, and the talent show! There is also a first-year committee through the Homecoming Royalty committee that is in charge of getting more first-years involved. I definitely would recommend looking into any of these options if you are considering becoming involved with Homecoming!

My passion at Penn State is homecoming and I hope that some of you WEPO girls will also find out how much you enjoy it. Whether you decide to get involved with homecoming or not, I hope you all have a great time at Penn State!

See you all in less than a month!!

Alison Lee is a junior in Bioengineering. She is a mentor for WEPO 2012.

Eating downtown: Healthy, Munchies, and Fattening

Hey girlies! So if you are anything like me (aka an awesome person) you love to eat good food, and let’s be honest,  good food is always worth the calories! Below I have broken down into three categories my favorite places to eat: healthy eats, late night munchies, flat out fatties (this one is obviously my favorite category). Bon A ’petit!

Healthy Eats:

Fiddlehead (134 West College Avenue)- So Fiddlehead is a fairly new restaurant at PSU that serves AMAZING soups and salads!  They purchase a ton of local ingredients so everything is extremely fresh. My personal favorite is the ri-pear-ian salad which consists of pear, dried cranberries, candied walnuts and a ton of baby spinach. It’s an explosion of flavor and it’s a salad so you can still feel great afterwards! Fiddlehead is definitely a great spot, and I recommend it to anyone looking for fun and healthy food.

Irving’s (110 East College Avenue) - If you are a bagel lover (who isn’t?!) than this will be heaven for you. This place uses organic ingredients to make homemade breads and bagels everyday (did you get that? HOMEMADE) and on top of that they have the best smoothies! A great way to kick start your morning (especially after pulling an all-nighter) is to grab a strawberry-banana smoothie and an everything bagel (or whatever flavors are your favorites!).

 

Late Night Munchies:

Gumby’s (300 South Pugh Street) - I’m not proud of this but I truly believe I would give up my first born for pokey sticks, which are a staple at Gumby’s. They are the most incredible pieces of dough covered with melted cheesy goodness, and I may have to stop writing this because it’s making me hungry (*grabbing a sandwich now). Other than pokey sticks Gumby’s has a variety of different pizzas and wings all of which are incredible! The best part about Gumby’s is that it’s almost always open (I’ve called way too many times late at night to know this).

Grillers (252 E. Beaver Avenue) - Have you ever had a grilled cheese that has garlic butter on the bread? It’s probably one of the most ingenious combinations known to the world of grilled cheese. My first grilled cheese at grillers shattered all standards I had for the sandwich (seriously it’s that good). Besides the amazing grilled cheeses, Grillers also has incredible food creations such as fried cheese balls (:D OMG), jalapeño poppers, wings and tons more!

Flat out Fatties (I am way too excited for this section):

Are U Hungry (111 Sowers Street)- I realized quickly that this place would be a favorite based on the fact that most of their sandwiches begin with the word fat, for example my favorite a Fat Ranch. A Fat Ranch includes two chicken fingers and two mozzarella sticks on a roll covered with ranch. It sounds absurd and is probably the reason I will develop heart disease later in life (fingers crossed) but it’s absolutely amazing. Are U Hungry has insane combinations of foods and truly it has to be seen to be believed.

The College Diner (126 West College Avenue) – This is a classic Penn State restaurant and has been around forever! The most famous item on the menu is of course the grilled sticky, which is a sticky bun made by angels then grilled to gooey perfection. The diner is open 24 hours a day (believe me it’s a struggle to stay away) so whenever you want a grilled sticky you can hop your way over there. They also have a full menu of good food including amazing omelets, and great sandwiches! This is a must before your freshmen year is over, so grab all your friends (and bring me!) and head over!

While you are enjoying all this wonderful food just think YOLO and you can always work out tomorrow (or in my case just eat more food!). Have a great summer and can’t wait to see you at WEPO!

Jess is a senior in Mechanical Engineering. This summer she is working for Boeing in Philadelphia. Jess is a mentor for WEPO 2012.

But What Exactly Does Business Attire Mean?!?

As so many of you have already heard and will continue to hear, welcome to the Penn State family and to the WEPO family!!  I can hardly believe that three years ago I was in your shoes and excited yet nervous to start college.  But before you even have a day of college classes, you are going to a career networking dinner?  Well that seems… odd.

What is so cool with this networking dinner is that you get a chance to meet professors, staff, and company representatives looking to hire Penn State women engineers – also known as, YOU!!  So now you are thinking, “Okay.  So I’m attending this dinner and talking to people who will be my professors and who want to hire me.  I’m supposed to be dressed in business attire.  Now what does THAT mean?”

When you are meeting people who want to impress so that they hire you, you want to look your best but you also want to look professional.  The orientation packet you got has some generic advice but here some additional pieces of advice.

Pants/Skirt: This is probably the easiest one to figure out.  Business pants and skirts are pretty much exactly what you think of.  The one rule to be careful of is in regards to skirts; skirts should be to your knees.

Shirt: This is probably the one of the harder pieces of the business attire puzzle but it doesn’t have to be.  Think conservative and comfortable.  A nice shirt that is a step up from a polo but not overdone and revealing would be perfect for this.  Dress shirts are, again, pretty much what you are thinking – go with your instincts.

Shoes: Shoes present another difficult challenge in business attire.  You want your shoes to be comfortable – you could be standing a while.  And even if you are professional 5-inch heel walker, I can guarantee you will be far happier in either flats or low heels.  As it says in the packet, go for something with a closed toe and not sneakers, Tevas, or hiking boots.

Other notes: You may want to consider some light make-up for the career dinner.  As far a jewelry goes, some jewelry is fine but again, keep it conservative – a nice neckalace, bracelet or watch, and/or simple earrings are all suitable for a career setting.  Also if you choose to wear perfume, keep it very light – it can be overbearing and you never know if someone you are talking to may be alergic.

Optional details: A suit (jacket/pants or jacket/skirt) is something nice to have but not entirely necessary for the Career Dinner.  You may want to consider having one for the future but don’t feel like you need to go out right now to buy one.

That should be just about everything you need to know.  If you have any questions at all about what to expect or what would be good to wear, don’t hesitate to reach out to me, your mentor, your rover, or anyone on the WEPO ’12 Leadership Team.  We are here to help you and we are excited to see you looking your best and working it at the Career Dinner.

For The Glory! See you all in August!! J

Emily is a senior in Aerospace Engineering. This summer she is working for the Federal Government. Emily is a mentor for WEPO 2012

10,686,924 Reasons to Smile—Penn State’s THON

Hi everyone! My name is Mimi Overbaugh and I am super excited to be a rover for WEPO 2012! I am a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering. After finishing my freshman year, I can look back and say that I am very proud of myself for getting involved in a lot of different activities outside the classroom. As new students in a completely different environment, it is very beneficial to branch out and try new things (and it’s probably easiest to get involved your first year too). Although I loved all of the clubs and organizations I joined, such as EON and SWE, I can say without a doubt that the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) changed my life in so many ways.

What is THON?

Penn State’s THON is the largest run student philanthropy in the world that raises money to help find a cure for pediatric cancer. THON now has over 15,000 student volunteers, 700 dancers, and has raised more than $78 million benefiting the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State’s Hershey Children’s Hospital since 1973. A year’s worth of hard work culminates in one weekend in February where dancers stay on their feet for 46 hours in the Bryce Jordan Center. It is a truly touching and life-changing experience that will have impact on everyone involved.

Ways to get involved

            Organizations

If you get involved in any organizations at school (and I sincerely hope you take advantage of the hundreds of groups available to you!), you can participate in THON with your org. Almost all organizations have members that are committed to THON’s effort—they usually hold weekly meetings, are assigned a THON child, fundraise, and thus have dancers as well. For instance, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) was paired with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and together, they helped to raise money for THON and participated in the weekend’s festivities. This option is great for those who want to get further involved in an organization that you are already in.

            Special Interest Organizations

In addition to your general organizations, such as SWE, you can also get involved in one of the many special interest organizations that unite for the common cause of THON. Their goal is to raise very large amounts of money specifically for THON, and therefore these groups tend to be a lot bigger than your general organizations. For instance, one special interest org, called Atlas, has a few hundred students working to raise money.  They also hold regular meetings, while their fundraising is a bit more intense. One advantage to this type of group is that you can meet a wide variety of people while still having a blast.

            Committees

In order for THON to operate as smoothly as it does, there are many webs of volunteers who work hard together to ensure a successful weekend. There are 11 different committees (Communications, Donor & Alumni Relations, Merchandise, Hospitality, Finance, Morale, OPPerations, Public Relations, Special Events, Rules and Regulations, Entertainment) that each have a different color and responsibility during the weekend and the months leading up to it. In order to obtain a committee position, you must fill out an application and have an interview. If accepted (high acceptance rate), then you are placed onto a committee. A committee is led by a captain (who is in turn led by an overall) and there are usually between 20 and 40 people. Your captain leads weekly meetings (usually starting in October) and you participate in different activities depending on your specific committee, such as spirit events and training sessions. During the weekend of THON, you are given work shifts and help to run the BJC. Although each committee is different, they all work together and are crucial to the success of THON.

My THON experience

Because a lot of my family went to Penn State and participated in THON, I knew that I wanted to join as well, because I wanted to feel like I was a part of something much bigger than myself. I decided that a committee position best suited me, because I wanted to join a close knit group of people. On the application, you put your first two choices—mine were Morale and Hospitality, which are typically the two most competitive ones. After going through the interview process, I unfortunately was not offered either of my top two choices; however, I did get placed onto a Rules and Regulations (R&R) committee.  Needless to say, I was a little bummed out, but I did not let that discourage me. I decided to make the best of my situation, and make a difference in any way possible. It was one of the best decisions I made during my freshman year (along with attending WEPO!!!!). There were only a small percentage of freshmen out of the 40 kids, so I stepped out of my comfort zone by taking on the role of “Ice Breaker Chair”.  I was able to form friendships, even with the upperclassmen, who become some of my best friends at school. As the year went on and we became more involved, we invested so much of ourselves to the committee and THON, and it was so rewarding. When the weekend came, we felt very prepared and confident that we could successfully do our jobs. I was actually picked to hold a special position during the weekend—as a part of a Pass Team that helped move people on to and off of the floor, I was lucky enough to interact with VIP guests! Because I excelled over the course of the weekend, I was one of the committee members chosen to get an Incentive Pass, which is a pass that allows you to be on the floor for the last four hours (a pretty big deal—especially for a freshman!) I got to experience Family Hour, where the families talked about their struggles with cancer, as well as a concert performed by Go Go Gadjet, and the reveal of the total, an unbelievable $10,686,924.83!!!! It was the most rewarding weekend that I have ever experienced, and I urge all of you to get involved in THON in some way, because it will change your life!

“Kids dream about growing up to be many things: firefighters, teachers, doctors, professional athletes, and even superheroes. A child with cancer dreams about the chance to grow-up.”

Visit www.thon.org for more information. One day we will dance in celebration, but until then we will dance for a cure. For The Kids—FTK!!

Mimi is a sophomore in Industrial Engineering. She is a rover for WEPO 2012.