Name: Emily Johnson
Major: Genetic and Developmental Biology Major

Past THON Experience
THON 2015 was my first time at THON to visit and spend some of the
weekend with my sister when she was a dancer!

THON 2018: Rules & Regulations Committee Member
THON 2019: R&R Fundraising Safety Fundraising Development Captain
THON 2020: R&R Fundraising Safety Online Giving Captain

Name an interesting, weird, or quirky fact about yourself:

DJ Pauly D follows me on Twitter!

What made you want to apply for the Event Safety position for THON 2021?

Ever since my freshman year I felt like I found a family in R&R. I loved how
structured we are as a committee while still having some of the biggest
hearts around. Event Safety is more than running security protocols. We are the first volunteers you’ll see at THON when you get your wristband and go through security. I hoped that my time as a director could be spent enhancing our security and pass procedures as well as helping shape Event Safety into a resource to the community. I wanted to be able to continue THON’s growth and to be able to offer others the experience that I’ve had. Every voice is important, and no idea is too big.

I wanted to bring that mindset to help further our mission. Being able to help others reach beyond their potential and realize that an outstanding impact can be made by anyone was a goal of mine. Working together, we can create a difference in the lives of so many. I wanted to become the Event Safety Director to inspire people to make that difference and to continue to foster an environment of acceptance and community. Bottom line, my hope was to inspire people to make a difference in someone’s life and keep THON as safe as ever.

What are your responsibilities as the Event Safety Director?

As Event Safety Director, my responsibilities include being THON’s liaison
between the Bryce Jordan Center, University Police, and University Emergency Management. The Rules & Regulations Event Safety Director is
responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all THON events by
designing and implementing detailed policies and protocols.

Throughout the year, I work closely with other Committees and University Staff to help plan and execute events like the THON 5K, Family Carnival, 100 Days til THON, and THON Weekend. THON is able to operate at the size we are due to cooperation between our volunteers and our partners. In addition, I also oversee the Event Safety Captains that help coordinate the Security and Pass initiatives such as Entrance Plan, the Pass System, and our overall building security.

What do you want to implement in your position this year that’s unique and differs from years past?

I wanted to make security and our Pass System more accessible to everyone. The first step was to look at how we train others in our protocols as well as how we outreach to our community. When people know that we’re here to make the weekend, and all pre-THON events, safe, fun, and simple everyone is more inclined to participate.

I also wanted to take a step back and take the time to make big changes in Event Safety. Often, our committee is busy with carrying out our special projects while tweaking them to work better year-to-year. This year we had more time, and we had the opportunity to make Event Safety better than ever. There’s always room to improve. If anything, that is what this year has taught us.

What makes the Event Safety Committee so cool, fun, and/or
important?

Event Safety is incredible. We are there to keep everyone safe so that no one has to worry about it. Kids can be kids and families can be families. We also have the opportunity to be everywhere during the weekend. Our committee also gets to talk to a lot of people during our time as a volunteer. I’ve met parents, dancers, alumni, families, really everyone involved in THON during the weekend. Everyone loves to talk about their story and as the first people you’ll see during THON weekend, we get to talk to a lot of incredible people.

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2021?

Overall, I hope that we are able to enhance the practices of the Event Safety
committee overall. Some of our main goals this year was to create new and
innovative resources for both spectators and orgs and expand our training within the volunteer community. I think if we’re able to achieve that we have something to be very proud of this year as a group.

Why do you THON?

I THON because I want to be here to make a difference in our community as well as in the lives of our THON families. Every opportunity that a child gets to be just a kid for a moment is priceless. Having moments where you get to make friends or make a lasting memory or laugh so hard your belly hurts is what being a kid is. I want every single kid to have that. I THON so families don’t have to worry about hearing that their child has cancer. I THON for our angels, for our families, and for the kids.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

One of my favorite THON memories is from my first THON experience during THON 2015 when my sister was a dancer. I got to spend time with her on the floor and it was really a great experience to be able to support her and be part of her weekend as a dancer. It was incredible seeing how many people came together to support this one cause.

It was so surreal standing on the floor and being able to look around and see the whole BJC filled and see THON Weekend from that perspective. My sister has always been one of my inspirations, and even the reason why I joined R&R my freshman year. That first experience with THON because of her dedication to philanthropy was really a defining moment in my own journey.

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which would you be and why?

I would want to be a Plateosaurus. They’re just really cool lizard adjacent
dinosaur and also one of the first discovered as a fossil. I feel like a Plateosaurus and I would get along.