One of the newest THON organizations on campus is already making its voice heard. Monarch FTK was founded last year by a few friends who lived on the same floor, and the tight-knit group has since expanded into a very recognizable organization, raising money “For the Kids, For the Keisters, and For the Queen.”

The founders of Monarch were all involved in bigger organizations as freshmen, but wanted to create their own THON experience. Last year, as sophomores, they created the new group and it has since blossomed into another great organization on campus.

In a statement on Monarch’s website, President Chris Allegretti summed up his team’s goals thoroughly yet succinctly.

“Monarch’s goal as a special interest organization is to come together as one team to raise money and surmount pediatric cancer. We do this through fundraising, entertaining, and inspiration activities/events. However, that is not all I wish Monarch’s goal to be.

Pediatric Cancer will always be our first priority no matter what. What I hope to accomplish as president is to not only raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund and support our family, the Keisters, but to also foster the feeling that every member of Monarch, both past and present, is connected to one another with a sense of family.”

Monarch’s THON family is Dylan Keister’s. Dylan is three years old and is battling a tumor in his jaw with the help of his parents, five siblings, and friends in Monarch who he gets to hang out with once or twice a month.

Despite the organization’s young age, it is just as functional and fun as some of the other big-name groups.

“Monarch is an awesome organization which was founded last year by a group of friends who lived on the same floor their freshman year. We are proud to say we have branched out of that group and have a solid organization now,” Family Relations co-chair Carolyn Quinn explained. “Our second year in, we’re really excited, we have a family that’s awesome, the Dylan Keister family, and it’s been an awesome weekend so far. We’re pumped, and we can’t wait for the rest of the time.”

As Allegretti stated on the website, Monarch’s goal is to raise money and support THON, the Four Diamonds Fund, and the Keisters. Still, at the end of the day, it’s a student organization and it does a great job providing a close and comfortable environment for its members.

“At first, I joined THON as a freshman and I was just looking to join a club and follow the advice I’d heard a lot: to join a club, get involved, meet some people with common interests, make some friends, and enjoy college a lot more. That was my initial goal, but as I got more involved in THON and I met our family that our organization is paired with, the Keisters, and I get to see Dylan’s face light up when he gets to come in and see all of his older brothers and sisters in Monarch, that really gives THON a much more special meaning, so now I do it FTK,” said second-year member Bill Leeson.

Monarch, attending its second THON, will have representatives in the stands for the entire 46 hours. It’s been a great first two years, and it has a bright future ahead of it.