THON volunteers joined THON 2021’s livestream Saturday afternoon to share former Penn State student Courtney O’Bryan’s story and present the Courtney O’Bryan Outstanding Volunteer Award in her honor.

In 2011, O’Bryan passed away during a THON canning trip when the car she was traveling in slipped on a patch of black ice. This is now the 10th straight year her family has memorialized her at THON.

“I can honestly say THON has changed my life forever. From my freshman year when I experienced THON for the first time all the way up to last year when I was one of five THON chairs for my org, devoting every waking moment to the Four Diamonds families, to today, right now,” Mostofsky said.

The award was presented to Gillian Mostofsky, a longtime THON volunteer within Sigma Delta Tau sorority, to which O’Bryan also belonged. Mostofsky is one of the organization’s THON chairs.

“Receiving the Courtney O’Bryan Award means more to me than I can express and put into words. Not only was Courtney a sister, but every story I’ve ever been told about her passion towards THON makes me want to work that much harder.”

The Courtney O’Bryan Award is annually presented every February. Last year, O’Bryan’s family greeted the Bryce Jordan Center to award it in person.